Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, systems, and devices for polynucleotide processing. Such polynucleotide processing may be useful for a variety of applications, including polynucleotide sequencing.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/850,241, filed Dec. 21, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/588,519, filed May 5, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,856,530, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/376,582, filed Dec. 12, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,701,998, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/104,650, filed on Dec. 12, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,567,631, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/737,374, filed on Dec. 14, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/376,582 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/250,701, filed on Apr. 11, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/175,973, filed on Feb. 7, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,388,465, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/844,804, filed on Jul. 10, 2013, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/840,403, filed on Jun. 27, 2013, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/800,223, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/762,435, filed on Feb. 8, 2013, each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The processing of polynucleotides and polynucleotide fragments is a critical aspect of a wide variety of technologies, including polynucleotide sequencing. Polynucleotide sequencing continues to find more widespread use in medical applications such as genetic screening and genotyping of tumors. Many polynucleotide sequencing methods rely on sample processing techniques solely utilizing random fragmentation of polynucleotides. Such random, uncontrolled fragmentation can introduce several problems in downstream processing. For example, these methods may produce fragments with large variation in length, including a large number or fraction of sequences that are too long to be sequenced accurately. This results in a loss of sequence information. Current methods of processing may also damage polynucleotides, resulting in incorrect sequence information, and/or the loss of sequence information. These, and other, problems may be significantly amplified by relatively minor operator variability. Thus, there is a significant need for improved methods that provide better control over all aspects of polynucleotide fragmentation and processing. In particular, there is need for polynucleotide processing methods that consistently provide fragments of appropriate size and composition for any downstream application, including sequencing.

SUMMARY I. Non-Overlapping Fragmentation

This disclosure provides methods, compositions, systems, and devices for processing polynucleotides. In one example, a method provided herein comprises: (a) providing a target polynucleotide; (b) fragmenting said target polynucleotide to generate a plurality of non-overlapping first polynucleotide fragments; (c) partitioning said first polynucleotide fragments to generate partitioned first polynucleotide fragments, wherein at least one partition of said partitioned first polynucleotide fragments comprises a first polynucleotide fragment with a unique sequence within said at least one partition; and (d) fragmenting said partitioned first polynucleotide fragments, to generate a plurality of non-overlapping second polynucleotide fragments.

In some of the methods provided in this disclosure, a third and fourth set of polynucleotide fragments are generated by performing the method described above and additionally performing a method comprising: (a) fragmenting said target polynucleotide to generate a plurality of non-overlapping third polynucleotide fragments; (b) partitioning said third polynucleotide fragments to generate partitioned third polynucleotide fragments, wherein at least one partition of said partitioned third polynucleotide fragments comprises a third polynucleotide fragment with a unique sequence within said at least one partition; and (c) fragmenting said partitioned third polynucleotide fragments to generate a plurality of non-overlapping fourth polynucleotide fragments.

The third polynucleotide fragments may overlap with the first polynucleotide fragments. The fourth polynucleotide fragments may overlap with the second polynucleotide fragments.

The target polynucleotide may be, for example, DNA, RNA, cDNA, or any other polynucleotide.

In some cases, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth polynucleotide fragments are generated by an enzyme. The enzyme may be a restriction enzyme. The restriction enzyme used to generate the first polynucleotide fragments may be different from the restriction enzyme used to generate the third polynucleotide fragments. The restriction enzyme used to generate the second polynucleotide fragments may be different from the restriction enzyme used to generate the fourth polynucleotide fragments. The restriction enzymes may have a recognition site of at least about six nucleotides in length.

The fragments can be of a variety of lengths. For example, the first and/or third polynucleotide fragments may have a median length of least about 10,000 nucleotides. The second or fourth polynucleotide fragments may have a median length of less than about 200 nucleotides.

The fragments can be attached to barcodes. For example, the second polynucleotide fragments and/or the fourth polynucleotide fragments may be attached to barcodes, to generate barcoded second and/or fourth polynucleotide fragments. The barcodes may be polynucleotide barcodes. The attachment of the barcodes to the polynucleotide fragments may be performed using an enzyme. The enzyme may be a ligase. The barcoded fragments may be pooled. Unpooled or pooled barcoded fragments may be sequenced.

In some cases, one or more steps of the methods described in this disclosure may be performed within a device. The device may comprise at least one well. The well may be a microwell. Any of the partitioning steps described in this disclosure may be performed by dispensing into a microwell.

The microwell (or well) may comprise reagents. These reagents may be any reagent, including, for example, barcodes, enzymes, adapters, and combinations thereof. The reagents may be physically separated from a polynucleotide sample placed in the microwell. This physical separation may be accomplished by containing the reagents within a microcapsule that is placed within a microwell. The physical separation may also be accomplished by dispensing the reagents in the microwell and overlaying the reagents with a layer that is, for example, dissolvable, meltable, or permeable prior to introducing the polynucleotide sample into the microwell. This layer may be, for example, an oil, wax, membrane, or the like. The microwell may be sealed at any point, for example after addition of the microcapsule, after addition of the reagents, or after addition of either of these components plus a polynucleotide sample.

Partitioning may also be performed by a variety of other means, including through the use of fluid flow in microfluidic channels, by emulsification, using spotted arrays, by surface acoustic waves, and by piezoelectric droplet generation.

Additional methods of fragmenting nucleic acids that are compatible with the methods provided herein include mechanical disruption, sonication, chemical fragmentation, treatment with UV light, and heating, and combinations thereof. These methods may be used to fragment, for example, the partitioned first or third polynucleotide fragments described above.

Partitioning may be done at any time. For example, the first polynucleotide fragments and/or the third polynucleotide fragments may each be further partitioned into two or more partitions before further processing.

Pseudo-Random Fragmentation

This disclosure provides methods for pseudo-random fragmentation of polynucleotides. In some cases, such methods comprise: (a) providing a target polynucleotide; (b) fragmenting said target polynucleotide to generate a plurality of first polynucleotide fragments; (c) partitioning said first polynucleotide fragments to generate partitioned first polynucleotide fragments, such that at least one partition comprises a first polynucleotide fragment with a unique sequence within said at least one partition; and (d) fragmenting said partitioned first polynucleotide fragments with at least one restriction enzyme in at least one partition, to generate a plurality of second polynucleotide fragments, wherein said partitioned first polynucleotide fragment is fragmented with at least two restriction enzymes across all partitions.

In some cases, at least two restriction enzymes are disposed within the same partition. In some cases, at least two restriction enzymes are disposed across a plurality of different partitions.

The pseudo-random fragmentation methods can be performed in order to yield fragments of a certain size. In some cases, at least about 50% of the nucleotides within a target polynucleotide are within about 100 nucleotides of a restriction site of a restriction enzyme used to perform pseudo-random fragmentation. In some cases, at most about 25% of the nucleotides within a target polynucleotide are within about 50 nucleotides of a restriction site of a restriction enzyme used to perform pseudo-random fragmentation. In some cases, at most about 10% of the nucleotides within a target polynucleotide are more than about 200 nucleotides from a restriction site a restriction enzyme used to perform pseudo-random fragmentation.

A polynucleotide may be treated with two or more restriction enzymes concurrently or sequentially.

The pseudo-randomly fragmented polynucleotides may be attached to barcodes, to generate barcoded polynucleotide fragments. The barcoded polynucleotides may be pooled and sequenced.

The number of partitions holding the partitioned first polynucleotide fragments may be at least about 1,000 partitions. The volume of these partitions may be less than about 500 nanoliters.

Each enzyme may occupy an equivalent number of partitions, or each enzyme may occupy a different number of partitions.

III. Restriction Enzyme-Mediated Recycling

This disclosure provides methods for recycling certain unwanted reaction side products back into starting materials that can be used to generate a desired product. In some cases, these methods comprise: (a) providing a first polynucleotide, a second polynucleotide, a first restriction enzyme, and a second restriction enzyme, wherein said first polynucleotide comprises a target polynucleotide or a fragment thereof; and (b) attaching said first polynucleotide to said second polynucleotide, to generate a polynucleotide product, wherein said first restriction enzyme cuts a polynucleotide generated by attachment of said first polynucleotide to itself, said second restriction enzyme cuts a polynucleotide generated by attachment of said second polynucleotide to itself, and neither said first restriction enzyme nor said second restriction enzyme cuts said polynucleotide product.

The first polynucleotide may be generated in the same reaction volume as the polynucleotide product, or in a different reaction volume. The target polynucleotide may be, for example, a fragment of genomic DNA.

The second polynucleotide may be generated in the same reaction volume as the polynucleotide product, or in a different reaction volume. The second polynucleotide may be, for example, a barcode or an adapter.

The first restriction enzyme may have a recognition site of at most about four nucleotides in length. The second restriction enzyme may have a recognition site of at least about six nucleotides in length. The first restriction enzyme may have a recognition site of about four nucleotides in length. The second restriction enzyme may have a recognition site of at least about five nucleotides in length.

The first and second restriction enzymes may generate ligation compatible ends. These ends may have single-stranded overhangs (i.e., “sticky ends”) or be blunt. The sticky ends may match in sequence and orientation, to allow ligation. The attachment step may be performed by ligation.

The sequence 5′ to the ligation compatible end generated by the first restriction enzyme may be different from the sequence 5′ to the ligation compatible end generated by the second restriction enzyme. This will ensure that the desired product cannot be re-cut by either restriction enzyme.

The sequence 3′ to the ligation compatible end generated by the first restriction enzyme may be different from the sequence 3′ to the ligation compatible end generated by the second restriction enzyme. This will ensure that the desired product cannot be re-cut by either restriction enzyme. Given the criteria provided throughout this specification, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many pairs of enzymes are suitable for use with this method.

The recycling may provide increased yield of the desired product, for example at least about 75% (w/w).

Also provided by this disclosure is a polynucleotide fragment generated by any of the methods provided herein, devices for performing the methods provided herein, and systems for performing the methods provided herein.

The methods provided in this disclosure (and portions thereof) may also be used with each other. For example, the non-overlapping fragmentation methods may be used alone and/or with the pseudo-random fragmentation methods and/or with the restriction enzyme-mediated recycling methods. Likewise, the pseudo-random fragmentation methods may be used alone and/or with the non-overlapping fragmentation methods and/or with the restriction enzyme-mediated recycling methods. Similarly, the restriction enzyme-mediated recycling methods may be used alone and/or with the non-overlapping fragmentation methods and/or with the pseudo-random fragmentation methods.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described. As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of methods, compositions, systems, and devices of this disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of this disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the methods, compositions, systems, and devices of this disclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of overlapping and non-overlapping deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of methods of generating non-overlapping DNA fragments for DNA sequencing.

FIG. 3 shows a distribution of DNA fragment size after simulating generation of 1 Mbp random DNA sequences followed by cutting the sequences with a 6 Mer cutter, StuI (AGG/CCT).

FIG. 4 shows a distribution of DNA fragment size after simulating generation of 1 Mbp random DNA sequences followed by cutting the sequences with a 4 Mer cutter, CviQI (G/TAC).

FIG. 5 shows a distribution of DNA fragment size after simulating the generation of a 1 Mbp random DNA sequence followed by cutting the sequences with seven 4 Mer cutters: (1) CviQI (G/TAC), (2) BfaI (C/TAG), (3) HinP1I (G/CGC), (4) CviAII (C/ATG), (5) TaqαI (T/CGA), (6) MseI (T/TAA), and (7) MspI (C/CGG).

FIG. 6 shows the generation of unwanted byproducts (“Side products”) during ligation of adapters to genomic DNA fragments and the recycling of the unwanted byproducts into starting materials (“Genomic DNA”, “Adapter 1”, and “Adapter 2”) by paring of appropriate restriction enzymes (here, MspI and NarI).

FIG. 7A shows exemplary 4 Mer cutter and 6 Mer cutter pairs generating sticky ends.

FIG. 7B shows exemplary 4 Mer cutter and 6 Mer cutter pairs generating blunt ends.

FIG. 8 shows a capsule containing reagents for barcoding of polynucleotide fragments in a microwell (left) and a microwell containing reagents for barcoding of polynucleotide fragments dispensed in a microwell and sealed to prevent evaporation (right).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed.

This disclosure provides methods, compositions, systems, and devices for processing polynucleotides. Applications include processing polynucleotides for polynucleotide sequencing. Polynucleotides sequencing includes the sequencing of whole genomes, detection of specific sequences such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other mutations, detection of nucleic acid (e.g., deoxyribonucleic acid) insertions, and detection of nucleic acid deletions.

Utilization of the methods, compositions, systems, and devices described herein may incorporate, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of organic chemistry, polymer technology, microfluidics, molecular biology and recombinant techniques, cell biology, biochemistry, and immunology. Such conventional techniques include microwell construction, microfluidic device construction, polymer chemistry, restriction digestion, ligation, cloning, polynucleotide sequencing, and polynucleotide sequence assembly. Specific, non-limiting, illustrations of suitable techniques are described throughout this disclosure. However, equivalent procedures may also be utilized. Descriptions of certain techniques may be found in standard laboratory manuals, such as Genome Analysis: A Laboratory Manual Series (Vols. I-IV), Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cells: A Laboratory Manual, PCR Primer: A Laboratory Manual, and Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (all from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press), and “Oligonucleotide Synthesis: A Practical Approach” 1984, IRL Press London, all of which are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference for all purposes.

I. Definitions

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, “such as”, or variants thereof, are used in either the specification and/or the claims, such terms are not limiting and are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising”.

The term “about,” as used herein, generally refers to a range that is 15% greater than or less than a stated numerical value within the context of the particular usage. For example, “about 10” would include a range from 8.5 to 11.5.

The term “barcode”, as used herein, generally refers to a label that may be attached to a polynucleotide, or any variant thereof, to convey information about the polynucleotide. For example, a barcode may be a polynucleotide sequence attached to all fragments of a target polynucleotide contained within a particular partition. This barcode may then be sequenced with the fragments of the target polynucleotide. The presence of the same barcode on multiple sequences may provide information about the origin of the sequence. For example, a barcode may indicate that the sequence came from a particular partition and/or a proximal region of a genome. This may be particularly useful when several partitions are pooled before sequencing.

The term “bp,” as used herein, generally refers to an abbreviation for “base pairs”.

The term “Mer,” as used herein to refer to restriction enzymes, generally refers to the number of nucleotides in one strand of a restriction enzyme's recognition site. For example, the enzyme CviQI has a recognition site of GTAC (4 nucleotides on one strand) and is thus referred to as a “4 Mer cutter.” The enzyme StuI has a recognition site of AGGCCT (6 nucleotides on one strand) and is thus referred to as a “6 Mer cutter.”

The term “microwell,” as used herein, generally refers to a well with a volume of less than 1 mL. Microwells may be made in various volumes, depending on the application. For example, microwells may be made in a size appropriate to accommodate any of the partition volumes described herein.

The terms “non-overlapping” and “overlapping,” as used to refer to polynucleotide fragments, generally refer to a collection of polynucleotide fragments without overlapping sequence or with overlapping sequence, respectively. By way of illustration, consider a hypothetical partition containing three copies of a genome (FIG. 1, top set of sequences). This genome may be fragmented randomly (e.g., by shearing in a pipette) or non-randomly (e.g., by digesting with a rare cutter). Fragmenting randomly produces overlapping sequences (second set of sequences from top in FIG. 1, “Fragmented randomly to generate overlap”), because each copy of the genome is cut at different positions. After sequencing of the fragments (which provides “sequence contigs”), this overlap may be used to determine the linear order of the fragments, thereby enabling assembly of the entire genomic sequence. By contrast, fragmenting by digesting with a rare cutter produces non-overlapping fragments, because each copy of the (same) genome is cut at the same position (third set of sequences from the top in FIG. 1, “Fragmented non-randomly using RE-1 to generate non-overlapping fragments”). After sequencing these fragments, it may be difficult to deduce their linear order due to the lack of overlap between the fragments. However, as described in this disclosure, the linear order may be determined by, for example, fragmenting the genome using a different technique. The fourth set of sequences from the top of FIG. 1 demonstrates the use of a second rare-cutter enzyme to generate a second set of non-overlapping fragments (“Fragmented non-randomly using RE-2 to generate non-overlapping fragments”). Because two different enzymes, for example, are used to generate the two sets of non-overlapping fragments, there is overlap between the fragments generated with the first rare-cutter enzyme (RE-1) and the fragments generated with the second rare-cutter enzyme (RE-2). This overlap may then be used to assemble the linear order of the sequences, and therefore the sequence of the entire genome.

The term “partition,” as used herein, may be a verb or a noun. When used as a verb (e.g., “partitioning”), the term refers to the fractionation of a substance (e.g., a polynucleotide) between vessels that can be used to sequester one fraction from another. Such vessels are referred to using the noun “partition.” Partitioning may be performed, for example, using microfluidics, dilution, dispensing, and the like. A partition may be, for example, a well, a microwell, a droplet, a test tube, a spot, or any other means of sequestering one fraction of a sample from another. In the methods and systems described herein, polynucleotides are often partitioned into microwells.

The terms “polynucleotide” or “nucleic acid,” as used herein, are used herein to refer to biological molecules comprising a plurality of nucleotides. Exemplary polynucleotides include deoxyribonucleic acids, ribonucleic acids, and synthetic analogues thereof, including peptide nucleic acids.

The term “rare-cutter enzyme,” as used herein, generally refers to an enzyme with a recognition site that occurs only rarely in a genome. The size of restriction fragments generated by cutting a hypothetical random genome with a restriction enzyme may be approximated by 4^(N), where N is the number of nucleotides in the recognition site of the enzyme. For example, an enzyme with a recognition site consisting of 7 nucleotides would cut a genome once every 4⁷ bp, producing fragments of about 16,384 bp. Generally rare-cutter enzymes have recognition sites comprising 6 or more nucleotides. For example, a rare cutter enzyme may have a recognition site comprising or consisting of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 nucleotides. Examples of rare-cutter enzymes include NotI (GCGGCCGC), XmaIII (CGGCCG), SstII (CCGCGG), SalI (GTCGAC), NruI (TCGCGA), NheI (GCTAGC), Nb.BbvCI (CCTCAGC), BbvCI (CCTCAGC), AscI (GGCGCGCC), AsiSI (GCGATCGC), FseI (GGCCGGCC), PacI (TTAATTAA), PmeI (GTTTAAAC), SbfI (CCTGCAGG), SgrAI (CRCCGGYG), SwaI (ATTTAAAT), BspQI (GCTCTTC), SapI (GCTCTTC), SfiI (GGCC GGCC), CspCI (CAA GTGG), AbsI (CCTCGAGG), CciNI (GCGGCCGC), FspAI (RTGCGCAY), MauBI (CGCGCGCG), MreI (CGCCGGCG), MssI (GTTTAAAC), PalAI (GGCGCGCC), RgaI (GCGATCGC), RigI (GGCCGGCC), SdaI (CCTGCAGG), SfaAI (GCGATCGC), SgfI (GCGATCGC), SgrDI (CGTCGACG), SgsI (GGCGCGCC), SmiI (ATTTAAAT), SrfI (GCCCGGGC), Sse2321 (CGCCGGCG), Sse83871 (CCTGCAGG), LguI (GCTCTTC), PciSI (GCTCTTC), AarI (CACCTGC), AjuI (GAA TGG), AloI (GAAC TCC), BarI (GAAG TAC), PpiI (GAAC CTC), PsrI (GAAC AC), and others.

The term “target polynucleotide,” as used herein, generally refers to a polynucleotide to be processed. For example, if a user intends to process genomic DNA into fragments that may be sequenced, the genomic DNA would be the target polynucleotide. If a user intends to process fragments of a polynucleotide, then the fragments of the polynucleotide may be the target polynucleotide.

II. Non-Overlapping Fragmentation

This disclosure provides methods, compositions, systems, and devices for the generation of non-overlapping polynucleotide fragments. These fragments may be useful for downstream analyses such as DNA sequencing. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, a target polynucleotide 101, such as genomic DNA, may be fragmented to generate a plurality of non-overlapping first polynucleotide fragments 102. This fragmentation may be performed, for example, by digesting the target polynucleotide with a rare-cutter enzyme (e.g., rare-cutter enzyme 1), or an artificial restriction DNA cutter (ARCUT; Yamamoto et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 2007, 35(7), e53). The first polynucleotide fragments may then be partitioned, such that at least one partition 103 comprises a first polynucleotide fragment with a unique sequence within that partition and, optionally, an additional first polynucleotide fragment with a different sequence 104. The partitioned first polynucleotide fragments may then be further fragmented to produce a plurality of non-overlapping second polynucleotide fragments 105. This fragmentation may be performed, for example, by enzymatic digestion, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, ultrasonication, and/or mechanical agitation. The second polynucleotide fragments may be of a size that is appropriate for DNA sequencing, i.e., a size that enables a DNA sequencer to obtain accurate sequence data for the entire fragment.

In order to facilitate DNA sequence assembly, the second fragments may be attached to a barcode, which may be attached to all of the second fragments disposed in a particular partition. The barcode may be, for example, a DNA barcode. With continued reference to FIG. 2, after attachment of the barcode, the barcoded fragments may be pooled into a partition comprising pooled, barcoded sequences 106. Three barcodes are depicted as [1], [2], and [3] in 106. The pooled fragments may be sequenced.

Certain methods of genome sequence assembly rely on the presence of overlapping fragments in order to generate higher order sequence data (e.g., whole genome sequences) from sequenced fragments. The methods, compositions, systems, and devices provided herein may also be used to provide overlapping fragments. For example, with continued reference to FIG. 2, fragments overlapping with the first and second fragments described above may be generated by generating a plurality of non-overlapping third polynucleotide fragments from the target polynucleotide 107. The third polynucleotide fragments may be generated, for example, by digesting the target polynucleotide 101 with a rare-cutter enzyme (e.g., rare-cutter enzyme 2; or ARCUT) that is different from the rare-cutter enzyme used to generate the first polynucleotide fragments. If rare-cutter enzymes 1 and 2 are chosen to cut the target polynucleotide sequence at different positions, the third polynucleotide fragments and the first polynucleotide fragments will overlap. The third polynucleotide fragments may then be processed as described above for the first polynucleotide fragments.

Specifically, the third polynucleotide fragments may be partitioned such that at least one partition 108 comprises a third polynucleotide fragment with a unique sequence within that partition and, optionally, an additional third polynucleotide fragment with a different sequence 109. These partitioned fragments may then be further fragmented to produce a plurality of non-overlapping fourth polynucleotide fragments 110. The fourth polynucleotides fragments and the second polynucleotide fragments may overlap. As for the second polynucleotide fragments, the fourth polynucleotide fragments may be generated by, for example, enzymatic digestion, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, ultrasonication, and/or mechanical agitation. The fourth fragments may be of a size that is appropriate for DNA sequencing, i.e., a size that enables a DNA sequencer to obtain accurate sequence data for the entire fragment.

In order to facilitate DNA sequencing, the fourth fragments may be attached to a barcode, which may be attached to all of the fourth fragments disposed in a particular partition. The barcode may be, for example, a DNA barcode. After attachment of the barcode, the barcoded fragments may be pooled, into a partition comprising pooled, barcoded, sequences 111. Three barcodes are depicted as [4], [5], and [6] in 111. The pooled fragments may be sequenced. The overlap between the sequences of the second fragments and the fourth fragments may be used to assemble higher order sequences, such whole genome sequences.

The steps described above may be performed using a variety of techniques. For example, certain steps of the methods may be performed in a device comprising microwell chambers (microwells), for example a microfluidic device. These microwells may be connected to each other, or to a source of reagents, by channels. The first and third fragments may be generated outside of the device and then introduced into the device (or separate devices) for further processing. Partitioning of the first and third fragments may accomplished using fluidic techniques. Generation of the second and fourth fragments may then occur within the microwells of the device or devices. These microwells may contain reagents for barcoding of the second and fourth fragments, such as DNA barcodes, ligase, adapter sequences, and the like. Microwells may feed or be directed into a common outlet, so that barcoded fragments may be pooled or otherwise collected into one or more aliquots which may then be sequenced.

In another example, the entire process could be performed within a single device. For example, a device could be split into two sections. A first section may comprise a partition comprising rare-cutter enzyme 1 (generating first polynucleotide fragments) and a second section may comprise a partition comprising rare-cutter enzyme 2 (generating third polynucleotide fragments). An aliquot of the target polynucleotide sequence may be placed into each of these partitions. Following digestion, the enzyme may be inactivated and the samples may be partitioned, fragmented, barcoded, pooled, and sequenced as described above. For convenience, this example has been described using rare-cutter enzymes as the means of generating the first and third fragments. However, this is not intended to be limiting, here or anywhere else in this disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that other means of generating non-overlapping, or predominantly non-overlapping, fragments would be just as suitable as the use of rare-cutter enzymes.

III. Pseudo-Random Fragmentation

This disclosure also provides methods, compositions, systems, and devices for fragmenting polynucleotides in a pseudo-random manner. This may be performed by treating partitioned polynucleotides with more than one restriction enzyme. For example, polynucleotides partitioned into microwells may be treated with combinations of restriction enzymes. Within each partition containing a particular combination of enzymes, the cutting is defined and predictable. However, across all of the partitions (through the use of multiple combinations of restriction enzymes in different partitions), the polynucleotide fragments generated approximate those obtained from methods of random fragmentation. However, these polynucleotide fragments are generated in a much more controlled manner than random fragments generated by methods known in the art (e.g., shearing). The partitioned, pseudo-randomly fragmented polynucleotides may be barcoded, as described throughout this disclosure, pooled, and sequenced. The pseudo-random fragmentation methods may be used with the non-overlapping fragmentation methods described herein, or with any other method described herein such as the high yield adapter/barcode attachment method. Pseudo-random fragmentation may occur by exposing a polynucleotide to multiple enzymes simultaneously, sequentially, or simultaneously and sequentially.

Thus, this disclosure provides methods and systems for processing polynucleotides comprising generating pseudo-random fragments of said polynucleotides. These pseudo random fragments are generated by treating a polynucleotide with more than one restriction enzyme. For example, a polynucleotide may be treated with about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, 50, or more restriction enzymes. A polynucleotide may be treated with at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, 50, or more restriction enzymes. A polynucleotide may be treated with at least 2 but fewer than 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes. A polynucleotide may be treated with about 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12, 12-14, 14-16, 16-18, 18-20, 20-25, 25-30, 35-40, 40-45, or 45-50 restriction enzymes.

The restriction enzymes may be chosen in order to maximize the number or fraction of fragments that will provide accurate sequencing data, based on the size of the fragments generated by the pseudo-random fragmentation. For present day sequencing technology, accuracy degrades beyond a read length of about 100 nucleotides. Therefore, fragments of about 200 or fewer nucleotides generally provide the most accurate sequence data since they can be sequenced from either end. Fragments below about 50 nucleotides are generally less desirable because, although the produce accurate sequencing data, they underutilize the read length capacity of current sequencing instruments which are capable of 150 to 200 base reads. Fragments of about 200 to about 400 nucleotides may be sequenced with systematic errors introduced as the read length increases beyond the initial 100 bases from each end. Sequence information from fragments greater than about 400 nucleotides is typically completely lost for those bases greater than 200 bases from either end. One of skill in the art will recognize that sequencing technology is constantly advancing and that the ability to obtain accurate sequence information from longer fragments is also constantly improving. Thus, the pseudo-random fragmentation methods presented herein may be used to produce optimal fragment lengths for any sequencing method.

In some cases, fragments may be defined by the distance of their component nucleotides from a restriction site (measured in nucleotides). For example, each nucleotide within a polynucleotide fragment generated by the pseudo-random fragmentation method may be less than about 10, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 550, 600, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 100000 nucleotides from the restriction site of an enzyme to which the polynucleotide is exposed. Each nucleotide within a polynucleotide fragment may be about 10, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 550, 600, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 100000 nucleotides from the restriction site of an enzyme to which the polynucleotide is exposed. Each nucleotide within a polynucleotide fragment may be at least about 10, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 550, 600, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 100000 nucleotides from the restriction site of an enzyme to which the polynucleotide is exposed.

In some cases, at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%, of the nucleotides comprising a target polynucleotide sequence are within about 10, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 550, 600, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 100000 nucleotides from the restriction site of an enzyme to which the polynucleotide is exposed. All combinations of these percentages and polynucleotide lengths are contemplated.

In some cases, at less than about 1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% of the nucleotides comprising a target polynucleotide sequence are within about 1, 5, 10, 50, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 550, 600, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 100000 nucleotides from the restriction site of an enzyme to which the polynucleotide is exposed. All combinations of these percentages and polynucleotide lengths are contemplated.

The pseudo-random fragmentation methods may be used to obtain fragments of about 10 to 50 nucleotides, 46 to 210 nucleotides, 50 to 250 nucleotides, 250 to 400 nucleotides, 400 to 550 nucleotides, 550 to 700 nucleotides, 700 to 1000 nucleotides, 1000 to 1300 nucleotides, 1300 to 1600 nucleotides, 1600 to 1900 nucleotides, 1900 to 2200 nucleotides, or 2200 to 3000 nucleotides. The pseudo-random fragmentation methods may be used to obtain fragments with a mean or median of about 40 nucleotides, 60 nucleotides, 80 nucleotides, 100 nucleotides, 120 nucleotides, 130 nucleotides, 140 nucleotides, 160 nucleotides, 180 nucleotides, 200 nucleotides, 250 nucleotides, 300 nucleotides, 400 nucleotides, 500 nucleotides, 600 nucleotides, 700 nucleotides, 800 nucleotides, 900 nucleotides, 1000 nucleotides, 1200 nucleotides, 1400 nucleotides, 1600 nucleotides, 1800 nucleotides, 2000 nucleotides, 2500 nucleotides, 3000 nucleotides, or more. The pseudo-random fragmentation methods may be used to obtain fragments with a mean or median of at least about 40 nucleotides, 60 nucleotides, 80 nucleotides, 100 nucleotides, 120 nucleotides, 130 nucleotides, 140 nucleotides, 160 nucleotides, 180 nucleotides, 200 nucleotides, 250 nucleotides, 300 nucleotides, 400 nucleotides, 500 nucleotides, 600 nucleotides, 700 nucleotides, 800 nucleotides, 900 nucleotides, 1000 nucleotides, 1200 nucleotides, 1400 nucleotides, 1600 nucleotides, 1800 nucleotides, 2000 nucleotides, 2500 nucleotides, 3000 nucleotides, or more. The pseudo-random fragmentation methods may be used to obtain fragments with a mean or median of less than about 40 nucleotides, 60 nucleotides, 80 nucleotides, 100 nucleotides, 120 nucleotides, 130 nucleotides, 140 nucleotides, 160 nucleotides, 180 nucleotides, 200 nucleotides, 250 nucleotides, 300 nucleotides, 400 nucleotides, 500 nucleotides, 600 nucleotides, 700 nucleotides, 800 nucleotides, 900 nucleotides, 1000 nucleotides, 1200 nucleotides, 1400 nucleotides, 1600 nucleotides, 1800 nucleotides, 2000 nucleotides, 2500 nucleotides, or 3000 nucleotides.

In some examples, the pseudo-random fragmentation methods provided herein are used to generate fragments wherein a particular percentage (or fraction) of the fragments generated fall within any of the size ranges described herein. For example, about 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18%, 20%, 22%, 24%, 26%, 28%, 30%, 32%, 34%, 36%, 38%, 40%, 42%, 44%, 46%, 48%, 50%, 52%, 54%, 56%, 58%, 60%, 62%, 64%, 66%, 68%, 70%, 72%, 74%, 76%, 78%, 80%, 82%, 84%, 86%, 88%, 90%, 92%, 94%, 96%, 98%, or 100% of the fragments generated may fall within any of the size ranges described herein.

In some examples multiple 4 Mer cutters may be used to provide a distribution of about 18% of fragments of about 50 nucleotides or less, about 38% of fragments of about 200 nucleotides or less, about 25% of fragments between about 200 and about 400 nucleotides, and about 37% of fragments greater than about 400 nucleotides (e.g., see FIG. 4).

Additionally, the pseudo-random fragmentation method may be designed to minimize the percentage of fragments greater than a certain number of nucleotides in length, in order to minimize the loss of sequence information. For example, the method may be designed to yield less than about 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, or 50% fragments greater than 100 nucleotides. The method may be designed to yield less than about 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, or 50% fragments greater than 150 nucleotides. The method may be designed to yield less than about 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, or 50% fragments greater than 200 nucleotides. The method may be designed to yield less than about 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, or 50% fragments greater than 300 nucleotides, and so on. As the ability of sequencing technologies to accurately read long DNA fragments increases, the pseudo-random fragmentation methods of the invention may be used to generate sequences suitable for any chosen read length.

Enzymes for use with the pseudo-random fragmentation method described herein may be chosen, for example, based on the length of their recognition site and their compatibility with certain buffer conditions (to allow for combination with other enzymes). Enzymes may also be chosen so that their cutting activity is methylation insensitive, or sensitive to methylation. For example, restriction enzymes with shorter recognition sites generally cut polynucleotides more frequently. Thus, cutting a target polynucleotide with a 6 Mer cutter will generally produce more large fragments than cutting the same polynucleotide with a 4 Mer cutter (e.g., compare FIGS. 3 and 4). Cutting a target polynucleotide with a plurality of enzymes (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more) may produce a greater number or fraction of fragments in the optimal size range for DNA sequencing than cutting with a single enzyme (see FIG. 5). Any restriction enzyme may be used with this method. Many are named in this specification, but others are known in the art.

This disclosure also provides methods of selecting a plurality of enzymes for pseudo-random fragmentation of a polynucleotide sequence. For example, a target polynucleotide may be exposed separately to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 restriction enzymes. The size distribution of the target polynucleotide fragments is then determined, for example, by electrophoresis. The combination of enzymes providing the greatest number of fragments that are capable of being sequenced can then be chosen. The method can also be carried out in silico.

The enzymes may be disposed within the same partition, or within a plurality of partitions. For example, any of the plurality of enzyme number described herein may be disposed within a single partition, or across partitions. For example, a polynucleotide may be treated with about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, 50, or more restriction enzymes in the same partition, or across partitions. A polynucleotide may be treated with at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, 50, or more restriction enzymes in the same partition, or across partitions. A polynucleotide may be treated with at least 2 but fewer than 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes in the same partition, or across partitions. A polynucleotide may be treated with about 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12, 12-14, 14-16, 16-18, 18-20, 20-25, 25-30, 35-40, 40-45, or 45-50 restriction enzymes in the same partition, or across partitions.

The distribution of the restriction enzymes among the partitions will vary depending on the restriction enzymes, the target polynucleotide, and the desired fragment size. In some cases, each restriction enzyme may be distributed across an equivalent number of partitions, so that the number of partitions occupied by each restriction enzyme is equivalent. For example, if 10 restriction enzymes are used in a device containing 1,000 partitions, each enzyme may be present in 100 partitions. In other cases, each restriction enzyme may be distributed across a non-equivalent number of partitions, so that the number of partitions occupied by each restriction enzyme is not equivalent. For example, if 10 restriction enzymes are used in a device containing 1,000 partitions, enzymes 1-8 may be present in 100 partitions each, enzyme 9 may be present in 50 partitions, and enzyme 10 may be present in 150 partitions. Placement of restriction enzymes in an unequal number of partitions may be beneficial, for example, when an enzyme generates a desired product at a low yield. Placing this low-yield enzyme in more partitions will therefore expose more of the target polynucleotide to the enzyme, increasing the amount of the desired product (e.g., fragment of a certain size or composition) that can be formed from the enzyme. Such an approach may be useful for accessing portions of a target polynucleotide (e.g., a genome) that are not cut by enzymes producing polynucleotide fragments at a higher yield. The restriction site and efficiency of an enzyme, composition of the target polynucleotide, and efficiency and side-products generated by the enzyme may all be among the factors considered when determining how many partitions should receive a particular enzyme.

In some cases, different numbers of restriction enzymes may be used in a single partition and across all partitions. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes or more may be used in each partition, while 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes or more may be used across all partitions. All combinations of these numbers are included within the invention. Non-limiting specific examples include the use of 1 restriction enzyme per partition and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; 2 restriction enzymes per partition and 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; 3 restriction enzymes per partition and 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; 4 restriction enzymes per partition and 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; 5 restriction enzymes per partition and 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; 6 restriction enzymes per partition and 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; 7 restriction enzymes per partition and 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; 8 restriction enzymes per partition and 9 or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; and 9 restriction enzymes per partition and 10 or more restriction enzymes across all partitions.

In some cases, at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes or more may be used in each partition, while at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes or more may be used across all partitions. All combinations of these numbers are included within the invention. Non-limiting specific examples include the use of at least 1 restriction enzyme per partition and at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 2 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 3 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 4 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 5 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 6 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 7 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 8 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 9 or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; and at least 9 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 10 or more restriction enzymes across all partitions.

In some cases, at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes or more may be used in each partition, while at most 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes or more may be used across all partitions. All combinations of these numbers are included within the invention. Non-limiting specific examples include the use of at most 1 restriction enzyme per partition and at most 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 2 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 3 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 4 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 5 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 6 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 7 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 8 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 9 or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; and at most 9 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 10 or more restriction enzymes across all partitions.

In some cases, at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes or more may be used in each partition, while at most 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes or more may be used across all partitions. All combinations of these numbers are included within the invention. Non-limiting specific examples include the use of at least 1 restriction enzyme per partition and at most 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 2 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 3 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 4 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 5 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 6 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 7 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at least 8 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 9 or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; and at least 9 restriction enzymes per partition and at most 10 or more restriction enzymes across all partitions.

In some cases, at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes or more may be used in each partition, while at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 45, or 50 restriction enzymes or more may be used across all partitions. All combinations of these numbers are included within the invention. Non-limiting specific examples include the use of at most 1 restriction enzyme per partition and at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 2 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 3 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 4 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 5 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 6 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 7, 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 7 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 8, 9, or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; at most 8 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 9 or 10 restriction enzymes across all partitions; and at most 9 restriction enzymes per partition and at least 10 or more restriction enzymes across all partitions.

IV. Restriction Enzyme-Mediated Recycling

As described throughout this disclosure, certain methods of the invention involve the addition of barcodes, adapters, or other sequences to fragmented target polynucleotides. Barcodes may be polynucleotide barcodes, which may be ligated to the fragmented target polynucleotides or added via an amplification reaction. As described throughout this disclosure, fragmentation of target polynucleotides may be performed using one or more restriction enzymes contained within a partition (e.g., a microwell) where the fragmentation is performed. The partition may also contain a polynucleotide barcode and a ligase, which enables the attachment of the barcode to the fragmented polynucleotide. In some cases, an adapter may be used to make a fragmented target polynucleotide compatible for ligation with a barcode. The presence of adapters, fragmented target polynucleotide, barcodes, restriction enzymes, and ligases in the same partition may lead to the generation of undesirable side products that decrease the yield of a desired end product. For example, self-ligation may occur between adapters, target polynucleotide fragments, and/or barcodes. These self-ligations reduce the amount of starting material and decrease the yield of the desired product, for example, a polynucleotide fragment properly ligated to a barcode and/or and adapter.

This disclosure provides methods, compositions, systems, and devices for addressing this problem and increasing the yield of a desired product. The problem is addressed by pairing a first restriction enzyme and a second restriction enzyme. The two restriction enzymes create compatible termini upon cutting, but each enzyme has a different recognition sequence.

Ligation of two pieces of DNA generated after cutting with the first restriction enzyme will regenerate the recognition site for the first restriction enzyme, allowing the first restriction enzyme to re-cut the ligated DNA. Likewise, ligation of two pieces of DNA generated after cutting with the second restriction enzyme will regenerate the recognition site for the second restriction enzyme, allowing the second restriction enzyme to re-cut the ligated DNA. However, ligation of one piece of DNA generated after cutting with the first restriction enzyme and one piece of DNA generated after cutting with the second restriction enzyme will result in ligated DNA that is unrecognizable (and therefore uncuttable) by both the first and second enzymes. The result is that any multimers of fragmented target polynucleotides are re-cut and any multimers of adapter (or other molecules, e.g., barcodes) are also re-cut. However, when a fragmented target polynucleotide is properly ligated to an adapter (or barcode), the restriction sites for both enzymes are not present and the correctly ligated molecule may not be re-cut by either enzyme.

An example of this method is illustrated in FIG. 6, and additional pairs of enzymes that may be used with the method are provided in FIGS. 7A-7B. Any pair of enzymes may be used, so long as they meet the following criteria: (1) the enzymes should create identical, or at least similar, ligatable termini upon cutting; and (2) the enzymes should have different recognition sequences. The enzymes may be selected to avoid or minimize cutting of certain polynucleotide sequences such as barcodes, adapters, and other polynucleotide components of a sample processing or preparation platform. The enzymes may be selected for methylation insensitivity or methylation sensitivity. The enzymes may also be selected to be active under s single set of environmental conditions, such as buffer conditions, temperature, etc. Minimizing the cutting of barcodes and adapters may be accomplished by pairing certain enzymes with certain barcodes and/or adapters.

This method may be used to increase the yield of any of the barcoding methods described herein. The regeneration of the starting materials (e.g., fragmented target polynucleotide, adapters, and barcodes) allows these starting materials another opportunity to form the desired products (i.e., fragmented target polynucleotides ligated to barcodes, optionally with adapters). This greatly increases the yield of the reaction and therefore decreases the amount of starting material required to produce the necessary amount of the desired products while limiting the amount of undesirable side products and lost sequence information.

The methods described above may be used to achieve about 75%, 85%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 99.5% yield (w/w). The methods may be used to achieve at least about 75%, 85%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 99.5% yield (w/w).

The methods described above may use, for example, a pair of restriction enzyme selected from the group consisting of MspI-NarI, BfaI-NarI, BfaI-NdeI, HinP1I-ClaI, MseI-NdeI, CviQI-NdeI, TaqαI-AcII, RsaI-PmeI, AluI-EcoRV, BstUI-PmeI, DpnI-StuI, HaeIII-PmeI, and HpyCH4V-SfoI. This list of enzymes is provided for purposes of illustration only, and is not meant to be limiting.

The methods described above may generally use any two enzymes that create ligatable termini upon cutting but that have different recognition sequences. However, the method is not limited to ligation. For example, multimers formed after amplification of side products formed by association of compatible ends could also be re-cut using the methods described above.

More than one pair of enzymes may also be used. The number of pairs of enzymes chosen will vary depending on the number of undesirable side products formed in a reaction. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or more pairs of enzymes may be used. Treatment of a polynucleotide with the enzymes may be sequential, simultaneous, or both.

V. Preparation of Target Polynucleotides

Target polynucleotides processed according to the methods provided in this disclosure may be DNA, RNA, peptide nucleic acids, and any hybrid thereof, where the polynucleotide contains any combination of deoxyribo- and ribo-nucleotides. Polynucleotides may be single stranded or double stranded, as specified, or contain portions of both double stranded or single stranded sequence. Polynucleotides may contain any combination of nucleotides, including uracil, adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, inosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, isocytosine, isoguanine and any nucleotide derivative thereof. As used herein, the term “nucleotide” may include nucleotides and nucleosides, as well as nucleoside and nucleotide analogs, and modified nucleotides, including both synthetic and naturally occurring species. Target polynucleotides may be cDNA, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), nuclear RNA (nRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), small nuclear RNA (snRNA), small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), small Cajal body-specific RNA (scaRNA), microRNA (miRNA), double stranded (dsRNA), ribozyme, riboswitch or viral RNA. Target polynucleotides may be contained on a plasmid, cosmid, or chromosome, and may be part of a genome. In some cases, a target polynucleotide may comprise one or more genes and/or one or more pseudogenes. A pseudogene generally refers to a dysfunctional relative of a gene that has lost its protein coding ability and/or is otherwise no longer expressed in the cell.

Target polynucleotides may be obtained from a sample using any methods known in the art. A target polynucleotide processed as described herein may be obtained from whole cells, cell preparations and cell-free compositions from any organism, tissue, cell, or environment. In some instances, target polynucleotides may be obtained from bodily fluids which may include blood, urine, serum, lymph, saliva, mucosal secretions, perspiration, or semen. In some instances, polynucleotides may be obtained from environmental samples including air, agricultural products, water, and soil. In other instances polynucleotides may be the products of experimental manipulation including, recombinant cloning, polynucleotide amplification (as generally described in PCT/US99/01705), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, purification methods (such as purification of genomic DNA or RNA), and synthesis reactions.

Genomic DNA may be obtained from naturally occurring or genetically modified organisms or from artificially or synthetically created genomes. Target polynucleotides comprising genomic DNA may be obtained from any source and using any methods known in the art. For example, genomic DNA may be isolated with or without amplification. Amplification may include PCR amplification, multiple displacement amplification (MDA), rolling circle amplification and other amplification methods. Genomic DNA may also be obtained by cloning or recombinant methods, such as those involving plasmids and artificial chromosomes or other conventional methods (see Sambrook and Russell, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual., cited supra.) Polynucleotides may be isolated using other methods known in the art, for example as disclosed in Genome Analysis: A Laboratory Manual Series (Vols. I-IV) or Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. If the isolated polynucleotide is an mRNA, it may be reverse transcribed into cDNA using conventional techniques, as described in Sambrook and Russell, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual., cited supra.

Target polynucleotides may also be isolated from “target organisms” or “target cells”. The terms “target organism” and “target cell” refer to an organism or cell, respectively, from which target polynucleotides may be obtained. Target cells may be obtained from a variety of organisms including human, mammal, non-human mammal, ape, monkey, chimpanzee, plant, reptilian, amphibian, avian, fungal, viral or bacterial organisms. Target cells may also be obtained from a variety of clinical sources such as biopsies, aspirates, blood, urine, formalin fixed embedded tissues, and the like. Target cells may comprise a specific cell type, such as a somatic cell, germline cell, wild-type cell, cancer or tumor cells, or diseased or infected cell. A target cell may refer to a cell derived from a particular tissue or a particular locus in a target organism. A target cell may comprise whole intact cells, or cell preparations.

Target polynucleotides may also be obtained or provided in specified quantities. Amplification may be used to increase the quantity of a target polynucleotide. Target polynucleotides may quantified by mass. For example, target polynucleotides may be provided in a mass ranging from about 1-10, 10-50, 50-100, 100-200, 200-1000, 1000-10000 ng. Target polynucleotides may be provided in a mass of at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000, 9500, or 10000 ng. Target polynucleotides may be provided in a mass of less than about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000, 9500, or 10000 ng.

Target polynucleotides may also be quantified as “genome equivalents.” A genome equivalent is an amount of polynucleotide equivalent to one haploid genome of an organism from which the target polynucleotide is derived. For example, a single diploid cell contains two genome equivalents of DNA. Target polynucleotides may be provided in an amount ranging from about 1-10, 10-50, 50-100, 100-1000, 1000-10000, 10000-100000, or 100000-1000000 genome equivalents. Target polynucleotides may be provided in an amount of at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000, 9500, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, or 1000000 genome equivalents. Target polynucleotides may be provided in an amount less than about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000, 9500, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, or 1000000 genome equivalents.

Target polynucleotide may also be quantified by the amount of sequence coverage provided. The amount of sequence coverage refers to the average number of reads representing a given nucleotide in a reconstructed sequence. Generally, the greater the number of times a region is sequenced, the more accurate the sequence information obtained. Target polynucleotides may be provided in an amount that provides a range of sequence coverage from about 0.1X-10X, 10-X-50X, 50X-100X, 100X-200X, or 200X-500X. Target polynucleotide may be provided in an amount that provides at least about 0.1X, 0.2X, 0.3X, 0.4X, 0.5X, 0.6X, 0.7X, 0.8X, 0.9X, 1.0X, 5X, 10X, 25X, 50X, 100X, 125X, 150X, 175X, or 200X sequence coverage. Target polynucleotide may be provided in an amount that provides less than about 0.2X, 0.3X, 0.4X, 0.5X, 0.6X, 0.7X, 0.8X, 0.9X, 1.0X, 5X, 10X, 25X, 50X, 100X, 125X, 150X, 175X, or 200X sequence coverage.

VI. Fragmentation of Target Polynucleotides

Fragmentation of polynucleotides is used as a step in a variety of processing methods described herein. The size of the polynucleotide fragments, typically described in terms of length (quantified by the linear number of nucleotides per fragment), may vary depending on the source of the target polynucleotide, the method used for fragmentation, and the desired application. Moreover, while certain methods of the invention are illustrated using a certain number of fragmentation steps, the number of fragmentation steps provided is not meant to be limiting, and any number of fragmentation steps may be used. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or more fragmentation steps may be used.

Fragments generated using the methods described herein may be about 1-10, 10-20, 20-50, 50-100, 50-200, 100-200, 200-300, 300-400, 400-500, 500-1000, 1000-5000, 5000-10000, 10000-100000, 100000-250000, or 250000-500000 nucleotides in length. Fragments generated using the methods described herein may be at least about 10, 20, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 250000, 500000, or more nucleotides in length. Fragments generated using the methods described herein may be less than about 10, 20, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 250000, 500000, nucleotides in length.

Fragments generated using the methods described herein may have a mean or median length of about 1-10, 10-20, 20-50, 50-100, 50-200, 100-200, 200-300, 300-400, 400-500, 500-1000, 1000-5000, 5000-10000, 10000-100000, 100000-250000, or 250000-500000 nucleotides. Fragments generated using the methods described herein may have a mean or median length of at least about 10, 20, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 250000, 500000, or more nucleotides. Fragments generated using the methods described herein may have a mean or median length of less than about 10, 20, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 250000, 500000, nucleotides.

Numerous fragmentation methods are described herein and known in the art. For example, fragmentation may be performed through physical, mechanical or enzymatic methods. Physical fragmentation may include exposing a target polynucleotide to heat or to UV light. Mechanical disruption may be used to mechanically shear a target polynucleotide into fragments of the desired range. Mechanical shearing may be accomplished through a number of methods known in the art, including repetitive pipetting of the target polynucleotide, sonication and nebulization. Target polynucleotides may also be fragmented using enzymatic methods. In some cases, enzymatic digestion may be performed using enzymes such as using restriction enzymes.

While the methods of fragmentation described in the preceding paragraph, and in some paragraphs of the disclosure, are described with reference to “target” polynucleotides, this is not meant to be limiting, above or anywhere else in this disclosure. Any means of fragmentation described herein, or known in the art, can be applied to any polynucleotide used with the invention. In some cases, this polynucleotide may be a target polynucleotide, such as a genome. In other cases, this polynucleotide may be a fragment of a target polynucleotide which one wishes to further fragment. In still other cases, still further fragments may be still further fragmented. Any suitable polynucleotide may be fragmented according the methods described herein.

A fragment of a polynucleotide generally comprises a portion of the sequence of the targeted polynucleotide from which the fragment was generated. In some cases, a fragment may comprise a copy of a gene and/or pseudogene, including one included in the original target polynucleotide. In some cases, a plurality of fragments generated from fragmenting a target polynucleotide may comprise fragments that each comprise a copy of a gene and/or pseudogene.

Restriction enzymes may be used to perform specific or non-specific fragmentation of target polynucleotides. The methods of the present disclosure may use one or more types of restriction enzymes, generally described as Type I enzymes, Type II enzymes, and/or Type III enzymes. Type II and Type III enzymes are generally commercially available and well known in the art. Type II and Type III enzymes recognize specific sequences of nucleotide base pairs within a double stranded polynucleotide sequence (a “recognition sequence” or “recognition site”). Upon binding and recognition of these sequences, Type II and Type III enzymes cleave the polynucleotide sequence. In some cases, cleavage will result in a polynucleotide fragment with a portion of overhanging single stranded DNA, called a “sticky end.” In other cases, cleavage will not result in a fragment with an overhang, creating a “blunt end.” The methods of the present disclosure may comprise use of restriction enzymes that generate either sticky ends or blunt ends.

Restriction enzymes may recognize a variety of recognition sites in the target polynucleotide. Some restriction enzymes (“exact cutters”) recognize only a single recognition site (e.g., GAATTC). Other restriction enzymes are more promiscuous, and recognize more than one recognition site, or a variety of recognition sites. Some enzymes cut at a single position within the recognition site, while others may cut at multiple positions. Some enzymes cut at the same position within the recognition site, while others cut at variable positions.

The present disclosure provides method of selecting one or more restriction enzymes to produce fragments of a desired length. Polynucleotide fragmentation may be simulated in silico, and the fragmentation may be optimized to obtain the greatest number or fraction of polynucleotide fragments within a particular size range, while minimizing the number or fraction of fragments within undesirable size ranges. Optimization algorithms may be applied to select a combination of two or more enzymes to produce the desired fragment sizes with the desired distribution of fragments quantities.

A polynucleotide may be exposed to two or more restriction enzymes simultaneously or sequentially. This may be accomplished by, for example, adding more than one restriction enzyme to a partition, or by adding one restriction enzyme to a partition, performing the digestion, deactivating the restriction enzyme (e.g., by heat treatment) and then adding a second restriction enzyme. Any suitable restriction enzyme may be used alone, or in combination, in the methods presented herein.

Fragmenting of a target polynucleotide may occur prior to partitioning of the target polynucleotide or fragments generated from fragmenting. For example, genomic DNA (gDNA) may be fragmented, using, for example, a restriction enzyme, prior to the partitioning of its generated fragments. In another example, a target polynucleotide may be entered into a partition along with reagents necessary for fragmentation (e.g., including a restriction enzyme), such that fragmentation of the target polynucleotide occurs within the partition. For example, gDNA may be fragmented in a partition comprising a restriction enzyme, and the restriction enzyme is used to fragment the gDNA.

In some cases, a plurality of fragments may be generated prior to partitioning, using any method for fragmentation described herein. Some or all of the fragments of the plurality, for example, may each comprise a copy of a gene and/or a pseudogene. The fragments can be separated and partitioned such that each copy of the gene or pseudogene is located in a different partition. Each partition, for example, can comprise a different barcode sequence such that each copy of the gene and/or pseudogene can be associated with a different barcode sequence, using barcoding methods described elsewhere herein. Via the different barcode sequences, each gene and/or pseudogene can be counted and/or differentiated during sequencing of the barcoded fragments. Any sequencing method may be used, including those described herein.

For example, using restriction enzymes, genomic DNA (gDNA) can be fragmented to generate a plurality of non-overlapping fragments of the gDNA. At least some of the fragments of the plurality may each comprise a copy of a gene and/or a pseudogene. The fragments may be separated and partitioned such that each copy of the gene or pseudogene is located in a different partition. Each partition, for example, can comprise a different barcode sequence such that each copy of the gene and/or pseudogene may be barcoded with a different barcode sequence. Via the different barcode sequences, the genes and/or pseudogenes may be counted and or differentiated after sequencing of the barcoded fragments. Any sequencing method may be used, including those described herein.

IV. Partitioning of Polynucleotides

As described throughout the disclosure, certain methods, systems, and compositions of the disclosure may utilize partitioning of polynucleotides into separate partitions (e.g., microwells, droplets of an emulsion). These partitions may be used to contain polynucleotides for further processing, such as, for example, cutting, ligating, and/or barcoding.

Any number of devices, systems or containers may be used to hold, support or contain partitions of polynucleotides and their fragments. In some cases, partitions are formed from droplets, emulsions, or spots on a substrate. Weizmann et al. (Nature Methods, 2006, Vol. 3 No. 7 pages 545-550). Suitable methods for forming emulsions, which can be used as partitions or to generate microcapsules, include the methods described in Weitz et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0211084). Partitions may also be formed through the use of wells, microwells, multi-well plates, and microwell arrays. Partitioning may be performed using piezoelectric droplet generation (e.g., Bransky et al., Lab on a Chip, 2009, 9, 516-520). Partitioning may be performed using surface acoustic waves (e.g., Demirci and Montesano, Lab on a Chip, 2007, 7, 1139-1145).

Each partition may also contain, or be contained within any other suitable partition. For example, a well, microwell, hole, a surface of a bead, or a tube may comprise a droplet (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion), a continuous phase in an emulsion, a spot, a capsule, or any other suitable partition. A droplet may comprise a capsule, bead, or another droplet. A capsule may comprise a droplet, bead, or another capsule. These descriptions are merely illustrative, and all suitable combinations and pluralities are also envisioned. For example, any suitable partition may comprise a plurality of the same or different partitions. In one example, a well or microwell comprises a plurality of droplets and a plurality of capsules. In another example, a capsule comprises a plurality of capsules and a plurality of droplets. All combinations of partitions are envisioned. Table 1 shows non-limiting examples of partitions that may be combined with each other.

TABLE 1 Examples of partitions that may be combined with each other. Well Spot Droplet Capsule Well Well inside Spot inside Droplet Capsule well well inside well inside well Spot Spot inside Spot inside Droplet Capsule well spot inside spot inside spot Droplet Droplet Droplet Droplet Droplet inside well inside spot inside droplet inside capsule Capsule inside droplet Capsule Capsule Capsule Capsule Capsule inside well inside spot inside droplet inside Spot inside Droplet capsule capsule inside capsule Surface Bead inside Spot on bead Bead inside Bead inside of a well Bead inside droplet capsule Bead spot

Any partition described herein may comprise multiple partitions. For example, a partition may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000, 9500, 10000, or 50000 partitions. A partition may comprise at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000, 9500, 10000, or 50000 partitions. In some cases, a partition may comprise less than 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000, 9500, 10000, or 50000 partitions. In some cases, each partition may comprise 2-50, 2-20, 2-10, or 2-5 partitions.

The number of partitions employed may vary depending on the application. For example, the number of partitions may be about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, or 10,000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100,000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, 1,000,000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 10000000, 20000000, or more. The number of partitions may be at least about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, 10,000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100,000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, 1,000,000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 10000000, 20000000, or more. The number of partitions may be less than about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, 10,000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100,000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, 1,000,000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 10000000, 20000000. The number of partitions may be about 5-10000000, 5-5000000, 5-1,000,000, 10-10,000, 10-5,000, 10-1,000, 1,000-6,000, 1,000-5,000, 1,000-4,000, 1,000-3,000, or 1,000-2,000.

Such partitions may be pre-loaded with reagents to perform a particular reaction. For example, a capsule containing one or more reagents may be placed within a microwell. After adding a polynucleotide sample to the well, the capsule may be made to release its contents. The contents of the capsule may include, for example, restriction enzymes, ligases, barcodes, and adapters for processing the polynucleotide sample placed in the microwell.

In some cases, such partitions may be droplets of an emulsion. For example, a droplet of an emulsion may be an aqueous droplet in an oil phase. The droplet may comprise, for example, one or more reagents (e.g., restriction enzymes, ligases, polymerases, reagents necessary for nucleic acid amplification (e.g., primers, DNA polymerases, dNTPs, buffers)), a polynucleotide sample, and a barcode sequence. In some cases, the barcode sequence, polynucleotide sample, or any reagent may be associated with a solid surface within a droplet. In some cases, the solid surface is a bead. In some cases, the bead is a gel bead (see e.g., Agresti et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0136544). In some cases the droplet is hardened into a gel bead (e.g., via polymerization).

A species may be contained within a droplet in an emulsion containing, for example, a first phase (e.g., oil or water) forming the droplet and a second (continuous) phase (e.g., water or oil). An emulsion may be a single emulsion, for example, a water-in-oil or an oil-in-water emulsion. An emulsion may be a double emulsion, for example a water-in-oil-in-water or an oil-in-water-in-oil emulsion. Higher-order emulsions are also possible. The emulsion may be held in any suitable container, including any suitable partition described in this disclosure.

In some cases, droplets in an emulsion comprise other partitions. A droplet in an emulsion may comprise any suitable partition including, for example, another droplet (e.g., a droplet in an emulsion), a capsule, a bead, and the like. Each partition may be present as a single partition or a plurality of partitions, and each partition may comprise the same species or different species.

In one example, a droplet in an emulsion comprises a capsule comprising reagents for sample processing. As described elsewhere in this disclosure, a capsule may contain one or more capsules, or other partitions. A sample comprising an analyte to be processed is contained within the droplet. A stimulus is applied to cause release of the contents of the capsule into the droplet, resulting in contact between the reagents and the analyte to be processed. The droplet is incubated under appropriate conditions for the processing of the analyte. Processed analyte may then be recovered. While this example describes an embodiment where a reagent is in a capsule and an analyte is in the droplet, the opposite configuration—i.e., reagent in the droplet and analyte in the capsule—is also possible.

The droplets in an emulsion may be of uniform size or heterogeneous size. In some cases, the diameter of a droplet in an emulsion may be about 0.001 μm, 0.01 μm, 0.05 μm, 0.1 μm, 0.5 μm, 1 μm, 5 μm, 10 μm, 50 μm, 100 μm, 150 μm, 200 μm, 300 μm, 400 μm, 500 μm, 600 μm, 700 μm, 800 μm, 900 μm, or 1 mm. A droplet may have a diameter of at least about 0.001 μm, 0.01 μm, 0.05 μm, 0.1 μm, 0.5 μm, 1 μm, 5 μm, 10 μm, 50 μm, 100 μm, 150 μm, 200 μm, 300 μm, 400 μm, 500 μm, 600 μm, 700 μm, 800 μm, 900 μm, or 1 mm. In some cases, a droplet may have a diameter of less than about 0.001 μm, 0.01 μm, 0.05 μm, 0.1 μm, 0.5 μm, 1 μm, 5 μm, 10 μm, 50 μm, 100 μm, 150 μm, 200 μm, 300 μm, 400 μm, 500 μm, 600 μm, 700 μm, 800 μm, 900 μm, or 1 mm. In some cases, a droplet may have a diameter of about 0.001 μm to 1 mm, 0.01 μm to 900 μm, 0.1 μm to 600 μm, 100 μm to 200 μm, 100 μm to 300 μm, 100 μm to 400 μm, 100 μm to 500 μm, 100 μm to 600 μm, 150 μm to 200 μm, 150 μm to 300 μm, or 150 μm to 400 μm.

Droplets in an emulsion also may have a particular density. In some cases, the droplets are less dense than an aqueous fluid (e.g., water); in some cases, the droplets are denser than an aqueous fluid. In some cases, the droplets are less dense than a non-aqueous fluid (e.g., oil); in some cases, the droplets are denser than a non-aqueous fluid. Droplets may have a density of about 0.05 g/cm³, 0.1 g/cm³, 0.2 g/cm³, 0.3 g/cm³, 0.4 g/cm³, 0.5 g/cm³, 0.6 g/cm³, 0.7 g/cm³, 0.8 g/cm³, 0.81 g/cm³, 0.82 g/cm³, 0.83 g/cm³, 0.84 g/cm³, 0.85 g/cm³, 0.86 g/cm³, 0.87 g/cm³, 0.88 g/cm³, 0.89 g/cm³, 0.90 g/cm³, 0.91 g/cm³, 0.92 g/cm³, 0.93 g/cm³, 0.94 g/cm³, 0.95 g/cm³, 0.96 g/cm³, 0.97 g/cm³, 0.98 g/cm³, 0.99 g/cm³, 1.00 g/cm³, 1.05 g/cm³, 1.1 g/cm³, 1.2 g/cm³, 1.3 g/cm³, 1.4 g/cm³, 1.5 g/cm³, 1.6 g/cm³, 1.7 g/cm³, 1.8 g/cm³, 1.9 g/cm³, 2.0 g/cm³, 2.1 g/cm³, 2.2 g/cm³, 2.3 g/cm³, 2.4 g/cm³, or 2.5 g/cm³. Droplets may have a density of at least about 0.05 g/cm³, 0.1 g/cm³, 0.2 g/cm³, 0.3 g/cm³, 0.4 g/cm³, 0.5 g/cm³, 0.6 g/cm³, 0.7 g/cm³, 0.8 g/cm³, 0.81 g/cm³, 0.82 g/cm³, 0.83 g/cm³, 0.84 g/cm³, 0.85 g/cm³, 0.86 g/cm³, 0.87 g/cm³, 0.88 g/cm³, 0.89 g/cm³, 0.90 g/cm³, 0.91 g/cm³, 0.92 g/cm³, 0.93 g/cm³, 0.94 g/cm³, 0.95 g/cm³, 0.96 g/cm³, 0.97 g/cm³, 0.98 g/cm³, 0.99 g/cm³, 1.00 g/cm³, 1.05 g/cm³, 1.1 g/cm³, 1.2 g/cm³, 1.3 g/cm³, 1.4 g/cm³, 1.5 g/cm³, 1.6 g/cm³, 1.7 g/cm³, 1.8 g/cm³, 1.9 g/cm³, 2.0 g/cm³, 2.1 g/cm³, 2.2 g/cm³, 2.3 g/cm³, 2.4 g/cm³, or 2.5 g/cm³. In other cases, droplet densities may be at most about 0.7 g/cm³, 0.8 g/cm³, 0.81 g/cm³, 0.82 g/cm³, 0.83 g/cm³, 0.84 g/cm³, 0.85 g/cm³, 0.86 g/cm³, 0.87 g/cm³, 0.88 g/cm³, 0.89 g/cm³, 0.90 g/cm³, 0.91 g/cm³, 0.92 g/cm³, 0.93 g/cm³, 0.94 g/cm³, 0.95 g/cm³, 0.96 g/cm³, 0.97 g/cm³, 0.98 g/cm³, 0.99 g/cm³, 1.00 g/cm³, 1.05 g/cm³, 1.1 g/cm³, 1.2 g/cm³, 1.3 g/cm³, 1.4 g/cm³, 1.5 g/cm³, 1.6 g/cm³, 1.7 g/cm³, 1.8 g/cm³, 1.9 g/cm³, 2.0 g/cm³, 2.1 g/cm³, 2.2 g/cm³, 2.3 g/cm³, 2.4 g/cm³, or 2.5 g/cm³. Such densities can reflect the density of the capsule in any particular fluid (e.g., aqueous, water, oil, etc.)

Polynucleotides may be partitioned using a variety of methods. For example, polynucleotides may be diluted and dispensed across a plurality of partitions. A terminal dilution of a medium comprising polynucleotides may be performed such that the number of partitions or wells exceeds the number of polynucleotides. The ratio of the number of polynucleotides to the number of partitions may range from about 0.1-10, 0.5-10, 1-10, 2-10, 10-100, 100-1000, or more. The ratio of the number of polynucleotides to the number of partitions may be about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, 50, 100, or 1000. The ratio of the number of polynucleotides to the number of partitions may be at least about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, 50, 100, or 1000. The ratio of the number of polynucleotides to the number of partitions may be less than about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, 50, 100, or 1000.

The number of partitions employed may vary depending on the application. For example, the number of partitions may be about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, or 10,000, or more. The number of partitions may be at least about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, or 10,000, or more. The number of partitions may be less than about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, or 10,000.

The volume of the partitions may vary depending on the application. For example, the volume of the partitions may be about 1000 μl, 900 μl, 800 μl, 700 μl, 600 μl, 500 μl, 400 μl, 300 μl, 200 μl, 100 μl, 50 μl, 25 μl, 10 μl, 5 μl, 1 μl, 900 nL, 800 nL, 700 nL, 600 nL, 500 nL, 400 nL, 300 nL, 200 nL, 100 nL, 50 nL, 25 nL, 10 nL, or 5 nL. The volume of the partitions may be at least about 1000 μl, 900 μl, 800 μl, 700 μl, 600 μl, 500 μl, 400 μl, 300 μl, 200 μl, 100 μl, 50 μl, 25 μl, 10 μl, 5 μl, 1 μl, 900 nL, 800 nL, 700 nL, 600 nL, 500 nL, 400 nL, 300 nL, 200 nL, 100 nL, 50 nL, 25 nL, 10 nL, or 5 nL. The volume of the partitions may be less than about 1000 μl, 900 μl, 800 μl, 700 μl, 600 μl, 500 μl, 400 μl, 300 μl, 200 μl, 100 μl, 50 μl, 25 μl, 10 μl, 5 μl, 1 μl, 900 nL, 800 nL, 700 nL, 600 nL, 500 nL, 400 nL, 300 nL, 200 nL, 100 nL, 50 nL, 25 nL, 10 nL, or 5 nL.

Species may also be partitioned at a particular density. For example, species may be partitioned so that each partition contains about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 100000, or 1000000 species per partition. Species may be partitioned so that each partition contains at least about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 100000, 1000000 or more species per partition. Species may be partitioned so that each partition contains less than about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 100000, or 1000000 species per partition. Species may be partitioned such that each partition contains about 1-5, 5-10, 10-50, 50-100, 100-1000, 1000-10000, 10000-100000, or 100000-1000000 species per partition.

Species may be partitioned such that at least one partition comprises a species that is unique within that partition. This may be true for about 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more of the partitions. This may be true for at least about 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more of the partitions. This may be true for less than about 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the partitions.

Particular polynucleotides may also be targeted to specific partitions. For example, in some cases, a capture reagent such as an oligonucleotide probe may be immobilized in a partition to capture specific polynucleotides through hybridization.

Polynucleotides may also be partitioned at a particular density. For example, polynucleotides may be partitioned such that each partition contains about 1-5, 5-10, 10-50, 50-100, 100-1000, 1000-10000, 10000-100000, or 100000-1000000 polynucleotides per partition. Polynucleotides may be partitioned so that each partition contains about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 100000, 1000000 or more polynucleotides per partition. Polynucleotides may be partitioned so that each partition contains less than about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 100000, or 1000000 polynucleotides per partition. Polynucleotides may be partitioned so that each partition contains at least about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 100000, or 1000000 polynucleotides per partition.

Polynucleotides may be partitioned such that at least one partition comprises a polynucleotide sequence with a unique sequence compared to all other polynucleotide sequences contained within the same partition. This may be true for about 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more of the partitions. This may be true for less than about 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more of the partitions. This may be true for more than about 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more of the partitions.

V. Barcoding

Downstream applications, for example DNA sequencing, may rely on the barcodes to identify the origin of a sequence and, for example, to assemble a larger sequence from sequenced fragments. Therefore, it may be desirable to add barcodes to the polynucleotide fragments generated by the methods described herein. Barcodes may be of a variety of different formats, including polynucleotide barcodes. Depending upon the specific application, barcodes may be attached to polynucleotide fragments in a reversible or irreversible manner. Barcodes may also allow for identification and/or quantification of individual polynucleotide fragments during sequencing.

Barcodes may be loaded into partitions so that one or more barcodes are introduced into a particular partition. Each partition may contain a different set of barcodes. This may be accomplished by directly dispensing the barcodes into the partitions, enveloping the barcodes (e.g., in a droplet of an emulsion), or by placing the barcodes within a container that is placed in a partition (e.g., a microcapsule).

The number of partitions employed may vary depending on the application. For example, the number of partitions may be about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, or 10,000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100,000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, 1,000,000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 10000000, 20000000, or more. The number of partitions may be at least about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, 10,000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100,000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, 1,000,000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 10000000, 20000000, or more. The number of partitions may be less than about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, 10,000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100,000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, 1,000,000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 10000000, 20000000. The number of partitions may be about 5-10000000, 5-5000000, 5-1,000,000, 10-10,000, 10-5,000, 10-1,000, 1,000-6,000, 1,000-5,000, 1,000-4,000, 1,000-3,000, or 1,000-2,000.

The number of different barcodes or different sets of barcodes that are partitioned may vary depending upon, for example, the particular barcodes to be partitioned and/or the application. Different sets of barcodes may be, for example, sets of identical barcodes where the identical barcodes differ between each set. Or different sets of barcodes may be, for example, sets of different barcodes, where each set differs in its included barcodes. For example, about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, 100000000, or more different barcodes or different sets of barcodes may be partitioned. In some examples, at least about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, 100000000, or more different barcodes or different sets of barcodes may be partitioned. In some examples, less than about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, or 100000000 different barcodes or different sets of barcodes may be partitioned. In some examples, about 1-5, 5-10, 10-50, 50-100, 100-1000, 1000-10000, 10000-100000, 100000-1000000, 10000-1000000, 10000-10000000, or 10000-100000000 barcodes may be partitioned.

Barcodes may be partitioned at a particular density. For example, barcodes may be partitioned so that each partition contains about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, or 100000000 barcodes per partition. Barcodes may be partitioned so that each partition contains at least about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, 100000000, or more barcodes per partition. Barcodes may be partitioned so that each partition contains less than about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, or 100000000 barcodes per partition. Barcodes may be partitioned such that each partition contains about 1-5, 5-10, 10-50, 50-100, 100-1000, 1000-10000, 10000-100000, 100000-1000000, 10000-1000000, 10000-10000000, or 10000-100000000 barcodes per partition.

Barcodes may be partitioned such that identical barcodes are partitioned at a particular density. For example, identical barcodes may be partitioned so that each partition contains about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, or 100000000 identical barcodes per partition. Barcodes may be partitioned so that each partition contains at least about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, 100000000, or more identical barcodes per partition. Barcodes may be partitioned so that each partition contains less than about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, or 100000000 identical barcodes per partition. Barcodes may be partitioned such that each partition contains about 1-5, 5-10, 10-50, 50-100, 100-1000, 1000-10000, 10000-100000, 100000-1000000, 10000-1000000, 10000-10000000, or 10000-100000000 identical barcodes per partition.

Barcodes may be partitioned such that different barcodes are partitioned at a particular density. For example, different barcodes may be partitioned so that each partition contains about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, or 100000000 different barcodes per partition. Barcodes may be partitioned so that each partition contains at least about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, 100000000, or more different barcodes per partition. Barcodes may be partitioned so that each partition contains less than about 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 6000000, 7000000, 8000000, 9000000, 10000000, 20000000, 50000000, or 100000000 different barcodes per partition. Barcodes may be partitioned such that each partition contains about 1-5, 5-10, 10-50, 50-100, 100-1000, 1000-10000, 10000-100000, 100000-1000000, 10000-1000000, 10000-10000000, or 10000-100000000 different barcodes per partition.

The number of partitions employed to partition barcodes may vary, for example, depending on the application and/or the number of different barcodes to be partitioned. For example, the number of partitions employed to partition barcodes may be about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, or 10,000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100,000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, 1,000,000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 10000000, 20000000 or more. The number of partitions employed to partition barcodes may be at least about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, 10,000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 10000000, 20000000 or more. The number of partitions employed to partition barcodes may be less than about 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 7500, 10,000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, 1000000, 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, 5000000, 10000000, or 20000000. The number of partitions employed to partition barcodes may be about 5-10000000, 5-5000000, 5-1,000,000, 10-10,000, 10-5,000, 10-1,000, 1,000-6,000, 1,000-5,000, 1,000-4,000, 1,000-3,000, or 1,000-2,000.As described above, different barcodes or different sets of barcodes (e.g., each set comprising a plurality of identical barcodes or different barcodes) may be partitioned such that each partition comprises a different barcode or different barcode set. In some cases, each partition may comprise a different set of identical barcodes. Where different sets of identical barcodes are partitioned, the number of identical barcodes per partition may vary. For example, about 100,000 or more different sets of identical barcodes may be partitioned across about 100,000 or more different partitions, such that each partition comprises a different set of identical barcodes. In each partition, the number of identical barcodes per set of barcodes may be about 1,000,000 identical barcodes. In some cases, the number of different sets of barcodes may be equal to or substantially equal to the number of partitions. Any suitable number of different barcodes or different barcode sets (including numbers of different barcodes or different barcode sets to be partitioned described elsewhere herein), number of barcodes per partition (including numbers of barcodes per partition described elsewhere herein), and number of partitions (including numbers of partitions described elsewhere herein) may be combined to generate a diverse library of partitioned barcodes with high numbers of barcodes per partition. Thus, as will be appreciated, any of the above-described different numbers of barcodes may be provided with any of the above-described barcode densities per partition, and in any of the above-described numbers of partitions.

For example, a population of microcapsules may be prepared such that a first microcapsule in the population comprises multiple copies of identical barcodes (e.g., polynucleotide bar codes, etc.) and a second microcapsule in the population comprises multiple copies of a barcode that differs from the barcode within the first microcapsule. In some cases, the population of microcapsules may comprise multiple microcapsules (e.g., greater than about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 1000000, 10000000, 100000000, or 1000000000 microcapsules), each containing multiple copies of a barcode that differs from that contained in the other microcapsules. In some cases, the population may comprise greater than about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 1000000, 10000000, 100000000, or 1000000000 microcapsules with identical sets of barcodes. In some cases, the population may comprise greater than about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 100000, 1000000, 10000000, 100000000, or 1000000000 microcapsules, wherein the microcapsules each comprise a different combination of barcodes. For example, in some cases the different combinations overlap, such that a first microcapsule may comprise, e.g., barcodes A, B, and C, while a second microcapsule may comprise barcodes A, B, and D. In another example, the different combinations do not overlap, such that a first microcapsule may comprise, e.g., barcodes A, B, and C, while a second microcapsule may comprise barcodes D, E, and F. The use of microcapsules is, of course, optional. All of the combinations described above, and throughout this disclosure, may also be generated by dispending barcodes (and other reagents) directly into partitions (e.g., microwells).

The barcodes may be loaded into the partitions at an expected or predicted ratio of barcodes per species to be barcoded (e.g., polynucleotide fragment, strand of polynucleotide, cell, etc.). In some cases, the barcodes are loaded into partitions such that more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 200000 barcodes are loaded per species. In some cases, the barcodes are loaded in the partitions so that less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 200000 barcodes are loaded per species. In some cases, the average number of barcodes loaded per species is less than, or greater than, about 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, or 200000 barcodes per species.

When more than one barcode is present per polynucleotide fragment, such barcodes may be copies of the same barcode, or multiple different barcodes. For example, the attachment process may be designed to attach multiple identical barcodes to a single polynucleotide fragment, or multiple different barcodes to the polynucleotide fragment.

The methods provided herein may comprise loading a partition (e.g., a microwell, droplet of an emulsion) with the reagents necessary for the attachment of barcodes to polynucleotide fragments. In the case of ligation reactions, reagents including restriction enzymes, ligase enzymes, buffers, adapters, barcodes and the like may be loaded into a partition. In the case barcoding by amplification, reagents including primers, DNA polymerases, DNTPs, buffers, barcodes and the like may be loaded into a partition. As described throughout this disclosure, these reagents may be loaded directly into the partition, or via a container such as a microcapsule. If the reagents are not disposed within a container, they may be loaded into a partition (e.g., a microwell) which may then be sealed with a wax or oil until the reagents are used.

Barcodes may be ligated to a polynucleotide fragment using sticky or blunt ends. Barcoded polynucleotide fragments may also be generated by amplifying a polynucleotide fragment with primers comprising barcodes.

Barcodes may be assembled combinatorially, from smaller components designed to assemble in a modular format. For example, three modules, 1A, 1B, and 1C may be combinatorially assembled to produce barcode 1ABC. Such combinatorial assembly may significantly reduce the cost of synthesizing a plurality of barcodes. For example, a combinatorial system consisting of 3 A modules, 3 B modules, and 3 C modules may generate 3*3*3=27 possible barcode sequences from only 9 modules.

VI. Microcapsules and Microwell Capsule Arrays

Microcapsules and microwell capsule array (MCA) devices may be used to perform the polynucleotide processing methods described herein. MCA devices are devices with a plurality of microwells. Microcapsules are introduced into these microwells, before, after, or concurrently with the introduction of a sample.

Microwells may comprise free reagents and/or reagents encapsulated in microcapsules. Any of the reagents described in this disclosure may be encapsulated in a microcapsule, including any chemicals, particles, and elements suitable for sample processing reactions involving a polynucleotide. For example, a microcapsule used in a sample preparation reaction for DNA sequencing may comprise one or more of the following reagents: enzymes, restriction enzymes (e.g., multiple cutters), ligase, polymerase, fluorophores, oligonucleotide barcodes, adapters, buffers, dNTPs, ddNTPs and the like.

Additional exemplary reagents include: buffers, acidic solution, basic solution, temperature-sensitive enzymes, pH-sensitive enzymes, light-sensitive enzymes, metals, metal ions, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, manganese, aqueous buffer, mild buffer, ionic buffer, inhibitor, enzyme, protein, polynucleotide, antibodies, saccharides, lipid, oil, salt, ion, detergents, ionic detergents, non-ionic detergents, oligonucleotides, nucleotides, deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs), dideoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (ddNTPs), DNA, RNA, peptide polynucleotides, complementary DNA (cDNA), double stranded DNA (dsDNA), single stranded DNA (ssDNA), plasmid DNA, cosmid DNA, chromosomal DNA, genomic DNA, viral DNA, bacterial DNA, mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA), mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, nRNA, siRNA, snRNA, snoRNA, scaRNA, microRNA, dsRNA, ribozyme, riboswitch and viral RNA, polymerase, ligase, restriction enzymes, proteases, nucleases, protease inhibitors, nuclease inhibitors, chelating agents, reducing agents, oxidizing agents, fluorophores, probes, chromophores, dyes, organics, emulsifiers, surfactants, stabilizers, polymers, water, small molecules, pharmaceuticals, radioactive molecules, preservatives, antibiotics, aptamers, and pharmaceutical drug compounds.

In some cases, a microcapsule comprises a set of reagents that have a similar attribute (e.g., a set of enzymes, a set of minerals, a set of oligonucleotides, a mixture of different bar-codes, a mixture of identical bar-codes). In other cases, a microcapsule comprises a heterogeneous mixture of reagents. In some cases, the heterogeneous mixture of reagents comprises all components necessary to perform a reaction. In some cases, such mixture comprises all components necessary to perform a reaction, except for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more components necessary to perform a reaction. In some cases, such additional components are contained within a different microcapsule or within a solution within a partition (e.g., microwell) of the device.

In some cases, only microcapsules comprising reagents are introduced. In other cases, both free reagents and reagents encapsulated in microcapsules are loaded into the device, either sequentially or concurrently. In some cases, reagents are introduced to the device either before or after a particular step. In some cases, reagents and/or microcapsules comprising reagents are introduced sequentially such that different reactions or operations occur at different steps. The reagents (or microcapsules) may be also be loaded at steps interspersed with a reaction or operation step. For example, microcapsules comprising reagents for fragmenting polynucleotides (e.g., restriction enzymes) may be loaded into the device, followed by loading of microcapsules comprising reagents for ligating bar-codes and subsequent ligation of the bar-codes to the fragmented molecules.

Microcapsules may be pre-formed and filled with reagents by injection. For example, the picoinjection methods described in Abate et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 2010, 107(45), 19163-19166) and Weitz et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0132288) may be used to introduce reagents into the interior of microcapsules described herein. These methods can also be used to introduce a plurality of any of the reagents described herein into microcapsules.

Microcapsules may be formed by any emulsion technique known in the art. For example, the multiple emulsion technique of Weitz et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0211084) may be used to form microcapsules (or partitions) for use with the methods disclosed herein.

Numerous chemical triggers may be used to trigger the disruption of partitions (e.g., Plunkett et al., Biomacromolecules, 2005, 6:632-637). Examples of these chemical changes may include, but are not limited to pH-mediated changes to the integrity of a component of a partition, disintegration of a component of a partition via chemical cleavage of crosslink bonds, and triggered depolymerization of a component of a partition. Bulk changes may also be used to trigger disruption of partitions.

A change in pH of a solution, such as a decrease in pH, may trigger disruption of a partition via a number of different mechanisms. The addition of acid may cause degradation or disassembly a portion of a partition through a variety of mechanisms. Addition of protons may disassemble cross-linking of polymers in a component of a partition, disrupt ionic or hydrogen bonds in a component of a partition, or create nanopores in a component of a partition to allow the inner contents to leak through to the exterior. A change in pH may also destabilize an emulsion, leading to release of the contents of the droplets.

In some examples, a partition is produced from materials that comprise acid-degradable chemical cross-linkers, such a ketals. A decrease in pH, particular to a pH lower than 5, may induce the ketal to convert to a ketone and two alcohols and facilitate disruption of the partition. In other examples, the partitions may be produced from materials comprising one or more polyelectrolytes that are pH sensitive. A decrease in pH may disrupt the ionic- or hydrogen-bonding interactions of such partitions, or create nanopores therein. In some cases, partitions made from materials comprising polyelectrolytes comprise a charged, gel-based core that expands and contracts upon a change of pH.

Disruption of cross-linked materials comprising a partition can be accomplished through a number of mechanisms. In some examples, a partition can be contacted with various chemicals that induce oxidation, reduction or other chemical changes. In some cases, a reducing agent, such as beta-mercaptoethanol, can be used, such that disulfide bonds of a partition are disrupted. In addition, enzymes may be added to cleave peptide bonds in materials forming a partition, thereby resulting in a loss of integrity of the partition.

Depolymerization can also be used to disrupt partitions. A chemical trigger may be added to facilitate the removal of a protecting head group. For example, the trigger may cause removal of a head group of a carbonate ester or carbamate within a polymer, which in turn causes depolymerization and release of species from the inside of a partition.

In yet another example, a chemical trigger may comprise an osmotic trigger, whereby a change in ion or solute concentration in a solution induces swelling of a material used to make a partition. Swelling may cause a buildup of internal pressure such that a partition ruptures to release its contents. Swelling may also cause an increase in the pore size of the material, allowing species contained within the partition to diffuse out, and vice versa.

A partition may also be made to release its contents via bulk or physical changes, such as pressure induced rupture, melting, or changes in porosity.

VII. Polynucleotide Sequencing

Generally, the methods and compositions provided herein are useful for preparation of polynucleotide fragments for downstream applications such as sequencing. Sequencing may be performed by any available technique. For example, sequencing may be performed by the classic Sanger sequencing method. Sequencing methods may also include: high-throughput sequencing, pyrosequencing, sequencing-by-synthesis, single-molecule sequencing, nanopore sequencing, sequencing-by-ligation, sequencing-by-hybridization, RNA-Seq (Illumina), Digital Gene Expression (Helicos), next generation sequencing, single molecule sequencing by synthesis (SMSS) (Helicos), massively-parallel sequencing, clonal single molecule Array (Solexa), shotgun sequencing, Maxim-Gilbert sequencing, primer walking, and any other sequencing methods known in the art.

In some cases varying numbers of fragments are sequenced. For example, in some cases about 30%-90% of the fragments are sequenced. In some cases, about 35%-85%, 40%-80%, 45%-75%, 50%-70%, 55%-65%, or 50%-60% of the fragments are sequenced. In some cases, at least about 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the fragments are sequenced. In some cases less than about 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the fragments are sequenced.

In some cases sequences from fragments are assembled to provide sequence information for a contiguous region of the original target polynucleotide that is longer than the individual sequence reads. Individual sequence reads may be about 10-50, 50-100, 100-200, 200-300, 300-400, or more nucleotides in length.

The identities of the barcode tags may serve to order the sequence reads from individual fragments as well as to differentiate between haplotypes. For example, during the partitioning of individual fragments, parental polynucleotide fragments may separated into different partitions. With an increase in the number of partitions, the likelihood of a fragment from both a maternal and paternal haplotype contained in the same partition becomes negligibly small. Thus, sequence reads from fragments in the same partition may be assembled and ordered.

VIII. Polynucleotide Phasing

This disclosure also provides methods and compositions to prepare polynucleotide fragments in such a manner that may enable phasing or linkage information to be generated. Such information may allow for the detection of linked genetic variations in sequences, including genetic variations (e.g., SNPs, mutations, indels, copy number variations, transversions, translocations, inversions, etc.) that are separated by long stretches of polynucleotides. The term “indel” refers to a mutation resulting in a colocalized insertion and deletion and a net gain or loss in nucleotides. A “microindel” is an indel that results in a net gain or loss of 1 to 50 nucleotides. These variations may exist in either a cis or trans relationship. In a cis relationship, two or more genetic variations exist in the same polynucleotide or strand. In a trans relationship, two or more genetic variations exist on multiple polynucleotide molecules or strands.

Methods provided herein may be used to determine polynucleotide phasing. For example, a polynucleotide sample (e.g., a polynucleotide that spans a given locus or loci) may be partitioned such that at most one molecule of polynucleotide is present per partition (e.g., microwell). The polynucleotide may then be fragmented, barcoded, and sequenced. The sequences may be examined for genetic variation. The detection of genetic variations in the same sequence tagged with two different bar codes may indicate that the two genetic variations are derived from two separate strands of DNA, reflecting a trans relationship. Conversely, the detection of two different genetic variations tagged with the same bar codes may indicate that the two genetic variations are from the same strand of DNA, reflecting a cis relationship.

Phase information may be important for the characterization of a polynucleotide fragment, particularly if the polynucleotide fragment is derived from a subject at risk of, having, or suspected of a having a particular disease or disorder (e.g., hereditary recessive disease such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, etc.). The information may be able to distinguish between the following possibilities: (1) two genetic variations within the same gene on the same strand of DNA and (2) two genetic variations within the same gene but located on separate strands of DNA. Possibility (1) may indicate that one copy of the gene is normal and the individual is free of the disease, while possibility (2) may indicate that the individual has or will develop the disease, particularly if the two genetic variations are damaging to the function of the gene when present within the same gene copy. Similarly, the phasing information may also be able to distinguish between the following possibilities: (1) two genetic variations, each within a different gene on the same strand of DNA and (2) two genetic variations, each within a different gene but located on separate strands of DNA.

IX. Sequencing Polynucleotides from Small Numbers of Cells

Methods provided herein may also be used to prepare polynucleotide contained within cells in a manner that enables cell-specific information to be obtained. The methods enable detection of genetic variations (e.g., SNPs, mutations, indels, copy number variations, transversions, translocations, inversions, etc.) from very small samples, such as from samples comprising about 10-100 cells. In some cases, about 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 cells may be used in the methods described herein. In some cases, at least about 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 cells may be used in the methods described herein. In other cases, at most about 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 cells may be used in the methods described herein.

In an example, a method comprises partitioning a cellular sample (or crude cell extract) such that at most one cell (or extract of one cell) is present per partition, lysing the cells, fragmenting the polynucleotides contained within the cells by any of the methods described herein, attaching the fragmented polynucleotides to barcodes, pooling, and sequencing.

As described elsewhere herein, the barcodes and other reagents may be contained within a microcapsule. These microcapsules may be loaded into a partition (e.g., a microwell) before, after, or concurrently with the loading of the cell, such that each cell is contacted with a different microcapsule. This technique may be used to attach a unique barcode to polynucleotides obtained from each cell. The resulting tagged polynucleotides may then be pooled and sequenced, and the barcodes may be used to trace the origin of the polynucleotides. For example, polynucleotides with identical barcodes may be determined to originate from the same cell, while polynucleotides with different barcodes may be determined to originate from different cells.

The methods described herein may be used to detect the distribution of oncogenic mutations across a population of cancerous tumor cells. For example, some tumor cells may have a mutation, or amplification, of an oncogene (e.g., HER2, BRAF, EGFR, KRAS) in both alleles (homozygous), others may have a mutation in one allele (heterozygous), and still others may have no mutation (wild-type). The methods described herein may be used to detect these differences, and also to quantify the relative numbers of homozygous, heterozygous, and wild-type cells. Such information may be used, for example, to stage a particular cancer and/or to monitor the progression of the cancer and its treatment over time.

In some examples, this disclosure provides methods of identifying mutations in two different oncogenes (e.g., KRAS and EGFR). If the same cell comprises genes with both mutations, this may indicate a more aggressive form of cancer. In contrast, if the mutations are located in two different cells, this may indicate that the cancer is more benign, or less advanced.

X. Analysis of Gene Expression

Methods of the disclosure may be applicable to processing samples for the detection of changes in gene expression. A sample may comprise a cell, mRNA, or cDNA reverse transcribed from mRNA. The sample may be a pooled sample, comprising extracts from several different cells or tissues, or a sample comprising extracts from a single cell or tissue.

Cells may be placed directly into an partition (e.g., a microwell) and lysed. After lysis, the methods of the invention may be used to fragment and barcode the polynucleotides of the cell for sequencing. Polynucleotides may also be extracted from cells prior to introducing them into a partition used in a method of the invention. Reverse transcription of mRNA may be performed in a partition described herein, or outside of such a partition. Sequencing cDNA may provide an indication of the abundance of a particular transcript in a particular cell over time, or after exposure to a particular condition.

The methods presented throughout this disclosure provide several advantages over current polynucleotide processing methods. First, inter-operator variability is greatly reduced. Second, the methods may be carried out in microfluidic devices, which have a low cost and can be easily fabricated. Third, the controlled fragmentation of the target polynucleotides allows the user to produce polynucleotide fragments with a defined and appropriate length. This aids in partitioning the polynucleotides and also reduces the amount of sequence information loss due to the present of overly-large fragments. The methods and systems also provide a facile workflow that maintains the integrity of the processed polynucleotide. Additionally, the use of restriction enzymes enables the user to create DNA overhangs (“sticky ends”) that may be designed for compatibility with adapters and/or barcodes.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Generation of Non-Overlapping DNA Fragments for Sequencing

This example demonstrates a method for the generation of non-overlapping DNA fragments suitable for DNA sequencing and other downstream applications. An implementation of this method is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2.

With reference to FIG. 2, a target polynucleotide 101, genomic DNA, is fragmented with the enzyme NotI, to generate a plurality of non-overlapping first polynucleotide fragments 102. The first polynucleotide fragments are partitioned into separate microwells 103 in a microdevice such that each microwell comprises a plurality of fragments, but only a single fragment with a particular sequence 104. The left-hand side of FIG. 2 illustrates three microwells (one is labeled 103), each containing three exemplary unique fragments 104, corresponding to the first polynucleotide fragments 102. Referring again to the left-hand side of FIG. 2, the left-most well contains fragments A1, B2, and C3, the middle well contains fragments B1, A2, and A3, and the right-most well contains fragments C1, C2, and B3.

The partitioned fragments are then further fragmented, to generate a plurality of non-overlapping second polynucleotide fragments 105. Referring again to the left-hand side of FIG. 2, each member of the second polynucleotide fragments is designated by its first fragment identifier (e.g., A1, B2, etc.), followed by a “−1” or a “−2”. For example, first fragment A1 is fragmented to produce second fragments A1-1 and A1-2. First fragment B2 is fragmented to produce second fragments B2-1 and B2-2, and so on. For the sake of simplicity, only two second fragments are shown for each first fragment. This is, of course, not meant to be limiting, as any number of fragments may be generated at any step of the process.

The second set polynucleotide fragments are barcoded, and the barcoded sequences are pooled. Referring to the lower left-hand side of FIG. 2, the labels [1], [2], and [3] represent three different barcode sequences used to label the second fragments 105. The labeled sequences are designated 106. Optionally, adapter sequences (not shown) are used to make the second fragments 105 compatible for ligation with the barcodes. The barcoding is performed while the fragments are still partitioned, before pooling. The pooled barcoded sequences are then sequenced.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the methods described above are then repeated, using a second rare cutter enzyme, XmaIII to digest the genomic DNA and generate a plurality of non-overlapping third polynucleotide fragments 107. The third polynucleotide fragments and the first polynucleotide fragments are overlapping, because they are generated with different rare-cutter enzymes that cut the target polynucleotides at different sites. The third polynucleotide fragments are partitioned into separate microwells 108 in a microdevice such that each microwell comprises a plurality of fragments, but only a single fragment with a particular sequence 109. The right-hand side of FIG. 2 illustrates three microwells (one is labeled 108), each containing three exemplary unique fragments 109, corresponding to the third polynucleotide fragments 107. Referring again to the right-hand side of FIG. 2, the left-most well contains fragments D1, E2, and F3, the middle well contains fragments E1, D2, and D3, and the right-most well contains fragments F1, F2, and E3.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, The partitioned fragments are then further fragmented, to generate a plurality of non-overlapping fourth polynucleotide fragments 110. The fourth polynucleotide fragments and the second polynucleotide fragments are overlapping, because they are generated by fragmenting the third and first fragments, respectively, which were generated with rare-cutter enzymes that cut the target polynucleotide at different sites, as described above. Referring again to the right-hand side of FIG. 2, each member of the fourth set of polynucleotide fragments is designated by its third fragment identifier (e.g., D1, E2, etc.), followed by a “−1” or a “−2”. For example, third fragment D1 is fragmented to produce fourth fragments D1-1 and D1-2. Third fragment E2 is fragmented to produce fourth fragments E2-1 and E2-2, and so on. For the sake of simplicity, only two fourth fragments are shown for each third fragment. This is, of course, not meant to be limiting, as any number of fragments may be generated.

The fourth polynucleotides fragments are barcoded, and the barcoded sequences are pooled. Referring to the lower right-hand side of FIG. 2, the numbers [4], [5], and [6] represent three different barcode sequences used to label the fourth fragments 110. The labeled sequences are designated 111. Optionally, adapter sequences (not shown) are used to make the fourth fragments 110 compatible for ligation with the barcodes. The barcoding is performed while the fragments are still partitioned, before pooling. The pooled barcoded sequences are then sequenced.

The example above describes sequencing the barcoded second fragments separately from the barcoded fourth fragments. The barcoded second fragments and the barcoded fourth fragments may also be combined, and the combined sample may be sequenced. One or more steps of the process may be carried out in a device. The steps carried out in a device may be carried out in the same device or in different devices.

After sequencing, sequence contigs are assembled and the overlapping sequences between the second fragments and the fourth fragments are used to assemble the sequence of the genome.

Example 2 Pseudo-Random Fragmentation of Polynucleotides

A simulation was performed to evaluate the size distribution of fragments generated by a 6 Mer cutter (StuI), a 4 Mer cutter (CviQI), and two to seven 4 Mer cutters. Random 1 Mbp DNA sequences were generated in silico and cuts were simulated based on the occurrence of the recognition sites for each of the restriction enzymes within the random sequences.

FIG. 3 shows the size distribution of a random 1 Mbp DNA sequence cut with the 6 Mer cutter StuI (AGG/CCT). Fragments less than about 50 nucleotides were designated as “low yield,” because they underutilize the read length capacity of sequencing instruments. Fragments less than about 200 nucleotides were designated as fragments likely to provide the most accurate data from today's sequencing technology. As described throughout this disclosure, this size range is in no way meant to be limiting, and the methods exemplified here, and described throughout this disclosure, may be used to generate fragments of any size range. Fragments from about 200 to about 400 nucleotides typically produce sequence data with systematic error for bases more than 100 bases from either fragment end. Fragments of more than about 400 nucleotides typically do not produce any useful sequence information for bases further than 200 bases from a fragment end, using today's sequencing technologies. However, this is expected to change, and the methods presented herein can be used to generate sequences of this size or larger.

As shown in FIG. 3, 3 of 271 fragments (1.5%) were considered low yield since they were 50 bases or smaller. Fourteen fragments (5%) were considered high accuracy since they were 200 bases or smaller (i.e., each base of the fragment is within 100 bases of a restriction site and could be sequenced with high accuracy). Eleven fragments (4%) were between 200 and 400 bases and would generate data that is both accurate (0-100 bases from each end) and inaccurate (100-200 bases from each end). The remaining 246 fragments (91%) were greater than 400 bases and would generate accurate (0-100), inaccurate (100-200) and no (>200 bases from a restriction site) sequence data. Overall only 5% of the 1 Mbp random sequence was within 100 bases from a restriction site and would generate accurate sequence data.

FIG. 4 shows the results from a second simulation using the 4 Mer cutter CviQI (G/TAC), instead of StuI (the 6 Mer cutter described above) to simulate cutting a random 1 Mbp DNA sequence. As shown in FIG. 4, the use of a restriction enzyme with a shorter recognition site results in more cuts, and the size distribution of the fragments is therefore shifted toward a smaller size range. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, 18% of fragments were considered low yield since they were 50 bases or smaller. Thirty-eight percent of fragments were considered high accuracy since they were 200 bases or smaller (i.e., each base of the fragment was within 100 bases of a restriction site and could be sequenced with high accuracy). Twenty five percent of fragments were between 200 and 400 bases and would generate data that is both accurate (0-100 bases from each end) and inaccurate (100-200 bases from each end). The remaining fragments (37%) were greater than 400 bases and would generate accurate (0-100), inaccurate (100-200) and no (>200 bases from a restriction site) sequence data. Overall 56% of the 1 Mbp random sequence was within 100 bases from a restriction site and would generate accurate sequence data. Therefore, cutting the randomly generated 1 Mbp DNA sequence with CviQI resulted in a higher percentage of fragments with nucleotides within 100 nucleotides of a restriction site than cutting with StuI (i.e., 56% vs. 5%, respectively). Cutting with CviQI is therefore expected to provide more fragments that may be fully sequenced.

Next, simulated cuts were made in a random 1 Mbp DNA sequence using combinations of one to seven different 4 Mer cutters. The 4 Mer cutters were: (A) CviQI (G/TAC); (B) BfaI (C/TAG); (C) HinP1I (G/CGC); (D) CviAII (C/ATG); (E) TaqαI (T/CGA); (F) MseI (T/TAA); and (G) MspI (C/CGG). The results of these simulations are shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, increasing the number of 4 Mer cutter enzymes, from one to seven, increases the number of fragments with nucleotides within 100 nucleotides of a restriction site. Therefore, cutting the randomly generated 1 Mbp DNA sequence with more than one 4 Mer cutter results in more fragments that may be fully sequenced than cutting with a single 4 Mer cutter.

The number of enzymes used to cut a sequence can be chosen so that a particular fraction of a target nucleotide (e.g., a genomic) sequence within 100 nucleotides of a restriction enzyme is achieved. For example, the fraction of a random genome within 100 nucleotides of a restriction site for a 4 Mer cutter is equal to 1-0.44^(x), where x is the number of independent 4 Mer cutters. Similarly, the fraction of a random genome within 100 nucleotides of a restriction site for a 5 Mer cutter is equal to 1-0.25^(x), where x is the number of independent 5 Mer cutters. For a 6 Mer cutter, the fraction of a random genome within 100 nucleotides of a restriction site is equal to 1-0.95^(x), where x is the number of independent 6 Mer cutters.

Table 1 shows the percentage of sequences with a length greater than 100 nucleotides for each of the seven enzymatic treatments described above. These sequences are considered those likely to result in missing data. Increasing the number of enzymes decreases the percentage of sequences greater than 100 nucleotides. The number of enzymes and their restriction site recognition length may be chosen in order to minimize the loss of sequence information from sequences greater than 100 nucleotides from a restriction site while also minimizing the generation of sequences less than 50 nucleotides, which are undesirable because the underutilize the read length capacity of sequencing instruments. The presence of these fragments may be minimized or avoided by selecting restriction enzymes that cut more rarely but at the potential price of reduced sequencing coverage of the DNA (i.e., more fragments may have bases >100 bases from a restriction site). These fragments may also be physically removed by a size selection step. Since these fragments are small and some fraction of the bases represented in the small fragments may be covered in larger fragments from other enzymes, the effect on coverage would likely be minimal.

The exemplary 4 Mer cutter methods presented herein are optimized to provide fragments compatible with current DNA sequencing technology, which may achieve accurate read lengths up to about 100 nucleotides from the terminus of a fragment. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that other restriction enzymes (e.g., 5 Mer cutters, 6 Mer cutters, etc.) would be suitable for DNA sequencing technologies capable of accurately reading larger fragments of DNA (e.g., 300-400, or more nucleotides). The methods presented in this disclosure are, of course generalizable, and may be used to obtain DNA fragments of any size distribution compatible with present or future sequencing technology.

TABLE 1 Percentage of random 1 Mbp sequence more than 100 nucleotides from any restriction site. The letters in the first row refer to treatment with the following enzymes: (A) CviQI (G/TAC); (B) BfaI (C/TAG); (C) HinP1I (G/CGC); (D) CviAII (C/ATG); (E) TaqαI (T/CGA); (F) MseI (T/TAA); and (G) MspI (C/CGG). A AB ABC ABCD ABCDE ABCDEF ABCDEFG 44.2% 20.1% 9.3% 4.2% 1.7% 0.6% 0.3%

Example 3 High Yield Adapter Ligation by Restriction Enzyme-Mediated Recycling of Undesirable Side Products

As described elsewhere herein, many downstream applications of the polynucleotide processing methods provided herein may utilize polynucleotide barcodes. An adapter may be used to provide compatible ends for the attachment of a barcode to a polynucleotide fragment (e.g., by ligation or PCR). In these cases, the desired products may be, for example:

-   -   [B]-[TPF]-[B], or     -   [B]-[A]-[TPF]-[A]-[B], where         [B] represents a barcode, [A] represents an adapter, and [TPF]         represents a target polynucleotide fragment. However, in some         cases, undesirable side products may form, for example, from the         self ligation of barcodes, adapters, and/or target         polynucleotide fragments. This example demonstrates one solution         to this potential problem.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic of an implementation of the method described in this example. In the example shown in FIG. 6, three polynucleotide starting materials (Genomic DNA; Adapter 1; and Adapter 2) and three enzymes (MspI; NarI; and DNA Ligase) are contained within a partition. The restriction enzyme MspI (C/CGG) recognizes the CCGG sequence occurring within the Genomic DNA sequence and cuts the Genomic DNA sequence to generate a fragment of genomic DNA. If the reaction proceeds as intended, the fragment of genomic DNA is then ligated to Adapter 1 and Adapter 2, to generate a fragment of genomic DNA flanked by ligated adapters (FIG. 6, lower-left). This fragment with ligated adapters may then be ligated to DNA barcodes, which may also be present within the same partition (not shown).

However, the reaction described above may also result in several unwanted side products, including multimers produced by self-ligation of the fragmented genomic DNA and adapters (or other molecules, such as barcodes, which are not shown). For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 6 illustrates this concept by showing only self-ligation of fragmented genomic DNA and adapters.

One unwanted side product is a multimer of genomic DNA fragments. This may occur, for example, if genomic DNA fragments with compatible ends are ligated to each other after cutting. In FIG. 6, cutting of Genomic DNA with MspI generates compatible ends that may be ligated by the ligase present in the partition. Similarly, Adapter 1 and Adapter 2, as shown, have compatible ligatable ends, and may also be ligated to form multimers.

As indicated in FIG. 6, one solution to this problem is to pair one enzyme (in this example, MspI) with a second enzyme (in this example, NarI). In this example, MspI re-cuts genomic DNA multimers produced by self-ligation of genomic DNA fragments. Therefore, MspI recycles unwanted genomic DNA fragment multimers back into genomic DNA fragments, which may then be correctly ligated to the adapters. Similarly, Nan cuts multimers of Adapter 1 and Adapter 2 into monomers of Adapter 1 and monomers of Adapter 2, which may then be correctly ligated to genomic DNA fragments. This recycles unwanted adapter multimers back into the desired starting materials of Adapter 1 and Adapter 2.

The enzymes are chosen such that the desired product (i.e., the genomic DNA fragment with adapters on each end) does not contain a recognition site for either enzyme. Therefore, the product will not be re-cut by any enzyme contained within the partition. This process increases the yield of the desired product, while minimizing the number of unwanted side products and reducing the amount of starting material required to produce a desired amount of a product. As described in this disclosure, a pair of enzymes may be chosen so that one enzyme recognizes one undesirable side-product and regenerates a starting material and another recognizes another undesirable side product and regenerates another starting material, but neither enzyme recognizes the desired product. This can be done for an unlimited number of side products.

In general, one strategy for selecting such pairs is to choose two enzymes that create identical (or similar, ligatable) termini after cutting, but have recognition sequences of different lengths. FIG. 7 shows examples of such pairs of enzymes. The enzymes provided in FIG. 7A provide sticky ends, while those provided in FIG. 7B provide blunt ends.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6 uses Genomic DNA and two adapters (Adapter 1 and Adapter 2) as starting materials. Therefore, in this embodiment, MspI is used not only to regenerate genomic DNA fragments after self-ligation, but also to generate the genomic DNA fragments in the first place, from Genomic DNA. Of course, this is optional, as one may introduce pre-fragmented genomic DNA into the partition and the method is still applicable.

Similarly, the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 shows two separate adapter molecules as starting materials. Adapter molecules may also be provided as a single polynucleotide sequence which is then cut by an enzyme contained within the partition (in this example, NarI) to generate ligation compatible ends for attachment to the fragmented genomic DNA. The method is also applicable to other polynucleotides described throughout this disclosure and to methods of attachment based on techniques other than ligation (e.g., attachment of an adapter or a barcode by PCR).

Pseudo-complimentary nucleotides that preferentially bind natural nucleotides over themselves (e.g., Biochemistry (1996) 35, 11170-11176; Nucleic Acids Research (1996) 15, 2470-2475), may also be used to minimize or avoid the formation of certain multimers, for example adapter-adapter multimers and barcode-barcode multimers. If adapters and/or barcodes (and/or other polynucleotides are synthesized using pseudo-complimentary nucleotides, they will prefer to hybridize with naturally occurring polynucleotide fragments (e.g., genomic DNA fragments) rather than themselves, therefore leading to a higher yield of the desired product.

Example 4 Provision of Reagents in Microcapsules and Directly in Microwells

As described throughout this disclosure, the polynucleotide processing methods described herein may involve the treatment of partitioned polynucleotides with a variety of reagents. These reagents may include, for example, restriction enzymes, ligases, phosphatases, kinases, barcodes, adapters, or any other reagent useful in polynucleotide processing or in a downstream application, such as sequencing. FIG. 8 shows two exemplary methods of providing reagents. On the left-hand side of FIG. 8, reagents are provided within a microcapsule. The microcapsule that is shown in FIG. 8 has an outer shell (“3”), an intermediate non-aqueous layer (“2”) and an inner aqueous drop contained within the intermediate non-aqueous layer (“1 ABC+RE”). This droplet is made by a water-oil-water emulsion technique followed by polymerization of the outermost water layer (“3”) to form a shell. Reagents are contained within the inner aqueous phase of the capsule. The left-hand side of FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment with four reagents contained within the aqueous phase of the capsule, namely three barcode reagents (1A, 1B, and 1C), and a restriction enzyme (“RE”). The embodiment shown is merely exemplary. The reagents may be located in any part of the capsule.

The capsule is dispensed into a partition (e.g., a microwell). A target polynucleotide and a ligase are then added to the partition. The capsule is made to release its contents by exposure to a stimulus, such as a change in temperature, a solvent, or stirring. The restriction enzyme fragments the target polynucleotide and the ligase attaches the barcode reagents to the target polynucleotide fragments generated by the restriction enzyme.

The restriction digestion and ligation may proceed according to any of the methods described herein, for example by non-overlapping fragmentation techniques, by pseudo-random fragmentation methods, and/or by pairing of restriction enzymes to recycle unwanted side products into new starting products (e.g., target polynucleotide fragments and barcodes). Adapters may also be included within the microcapsule. The barcodes shown in FIG. 8 are modular. For example, barcode components 1A, 1B, and 1C may ligate to form barcode: [1A]-[1B]-[1C].

The right-hand side of FIG. 8 shows the same reagents dispensed into a microwell, followed by sealing with sealant (e.g., a wax or oil), to prevent evaporation before use. This approach may be substituted for the approach described above, where the reagents are placed within microcapsules. Both approaches are used to produce partitions (e.g., microwells) pre-loaded with reagents for DNA fragmentation and barcoding. In order to fragment and barcode DNA using reagents dispensed within a microwell, a user unseals a partition, and introduces a target polynucleotide and a ligase (or any other reagents applicable for the method the user is conducting). As described above, the restriction enzyme fragments the target polynucleotide and the ligase attaches the barcode reagents to the target polynucleotide fragments generated by the restriction enzyme. Of course, both approaches may be combined by placing certain reagents in the microwell and others in the microcapsule. While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. 

1. A method comprising: a. providing a target polynucleotide; b. fragmenting said target polynucleotide to generate a plurality of non-overlapping first polynucleotide fragments; c. partitioning said first polynucleotide fragments to generate partitioned first polynucleotide fragments, wherein at least one partition of said partitioned first polynucleotide fragments comprises a first polynucleotide fragment with a unique sequence within said at least one partition; and d. fragmenting said partitioned first polynucleotide fragments to generate a plurality of non-overlapping second polynucleotide fragments.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a. fragmenting said target polynucleotide to generate a plurality of non-overlapping third polynucleotide fragments; b. partitioning said third polynucleotide fragments to generate partitioned third polynucleotide fragments, wherein at least one partition of said partitioned third polynucleotide fragments comprises a third polynucleotide fragment with a unique sequence within said at least one partition; and c. fragmenting said partitioned third polynucleotide fragments to generate a plurality of non-overlapping fourth polynucleotide fragments.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said third polynucleotide fragments overlap with said first polynucleotide fragments.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein said fourth polynucleotide fragments overlap with said second polynucleotide fragments.
 5. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein said target polynucleotide is selected from the group consisting of DNA, RNA, and cDNA.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of said first, second, third, and fourth polynucleotide fragments are generated by an enzyme.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said enzyme is a restriction enzyme.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said restriction enzyme used to generate said first polynucleotide fragments is different from said restriction enzyme used to generate said third polynucleotide fragments.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein said restriction enzyme used to generate said second polynucleotide fragments is different from said restriction enzyme used to generate said fourth polynucleotide fragments.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein said restriction enzyme has a recognition site of at least about six nucleotides in length.
 11. The method of claim 2, wherein said first or third polynucleotide fragments have a median length of least about 10,000 nucleotides.
 12. The method of claim 2, wherein said second or fourth polynucleotide fragments have a median length of less than about 200 nucleotides.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching said second polynucleotide fragments to barcodes to generate barcoded second polynucleotide fragments.
 14. The method of claim 2, further comprising attaching said fourth polynucleotide fragments to barcodes to generate barcoded fourth polynucleotide fragments.
 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein said barcodes are polynucleotide barcodes.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said attaching is performed using an enzyme.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said enzyme is a ligase.
 18. The method of claim 13 or 14, further comprising pooling said barcoded polynucleotide fragments to generate pooled barcoded polynucleotide fragments.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising sequencing said pooled barcoded polynucleotide fragments.
 20. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one step is performed in a device. 21.-67. (canceled) 